Harbour Exits Gilroy's 'Behemoth!' After 'Stranger Things' Wrap

Tony Gilroy's latest project 'Behemoth!' faces a casting shake-up after David Harbour withdrew from the Searchlight Pictures production. The 'Stranger Things' actor cited complete exhaustion following the grueling shoot of Netflix's series finale, which aired New Year's Day 2026.

Gilroy, who created 'Andor,' wrote and will direct this musical drama about Alex Serian, described as a musician returning to Los Angeles from a musical family. The project serves as Gilroy's tribute to movie soundtracks and their creators.

Star-Studded Cast Remains Intact

Despite Harbour's departure, 'Behemoth!' maintains an impressive roster. Pedro Pascal leads the ensemble alongside Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Matthew Lillard, Alexa Swinton, Margarite Levieva, and Barry Livingston.

Pascal's preparation has drawn attention around town. Gilroy revealed on 'Lovett or Leave It' why the 'Mandalorian' star carries a cello everywhere: 'He's a cellist in the film. He's practicing the cello very diligently and plus, we want him to be able to carry the cello anywhere he can.'

Method Behind the Music

The director referenced his 'Devil's Advocate' experience with Keanu Reeves to explain Pascal's commitment. 'When Keanu first came in I remember we were like, "He's gonna be a lawyer? Oh my God...", and I remember Taylor Hackford said three months out: "You gotta put a suit on now and you're never f****** taking that suit off until we start shooting."'

Three months of constant suit-wearing transformed Reeves completely. 'Carrying a cello case will turn you into a cellist if you do it long enough,' Gilroy explained.

Emotional Toll of Series Finale

Harbour's decision makes sense given his recent comments at Rose City Comic Con. The actor described feeling overwhelmed by 'Stranger Things' ending after a decade-long journey.

'I mean, it's so surreal... for me, reactions are always delayed. I almost couldn't process it,' Harbour shared. 'I can't tell you what our last day on set was, because it's a huge spoiler, but it was a very big culmination... and I couldn't believe that that was our last day.'

The timing proved particularly intense. 'They really did time it so that the biggest thing that happens in the series for him, in a certain way, is this moment. And so I was really focused on playing the crap out of that moment too. And then it just happens, and it's just over.'

Harbour needed six months to process the experience fully. 'I've known those guys, the Duffer Brothers, for 10 years, and we've been through so much together, and that cast and that crew, it's just like, it's really hard to process. It took me, like, another six months to really know how I felt to be honest. It really just passed through so quickly. It felt very, very surreal.'