Josh Brolin and Julia Garner Forge an Unbreakable Bond in "Weapons"
Josh Brolin and Julia Garner share a remarkable number of mutual friends, so when they both landed lead roles in Zach Cregger’s upcoming horror thriller "Weapons," those friends couldn’t stop raving about their chemistry. “People kept telling us, ‘You guys are going to love each other, and it’s going to be fantastic,’” Brolin shared during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s Los Angeles premiere last Thursday. “To be honest, I got a bit anxious. I thought, ‘What if it’s not great? I’m not going to work with someone just because others say I’ll like them.’” Spoiler alert: They hit it off wonderfully. “We connected instantly,” Brolin remarked with a grin. “It felt like immediate, sibling-like chemistry.”
When they arrived on set in Atlanta, the camaraderie between Brolin and Garner blossomed right away, even though their characters often clash on screen. In "Weapons," Garner portrays Justine Gandy, a teacher who wakes up to find that 17 of her 18 students mysteriously vanished in the night at 2:17 a.m. Brolin plays Archer Graff, a heartbroken father desperately searching for his missing child, with suspicions that Gandy may be involved.
Fans who have seen the trailer or the latest scene released by the studio last week know that Brolin and Garner had to deliver some intense performances. However, that tension didn’t carry over into their personal interactions. “We spent a lot of time together, which is rare for me,” Brolin explained, noting that both he and Garner appreciate their personal space. Interestingly, Garner is also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Silver Surfer in the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps, while Brolin is known for his iconic role as Thanos in the Avengers franchise.
Brolin also reminisced about his longtime friend Amy Madigan, who stars in the film. “I’ve known Amy for years, and I’d come out of the soundstage to see her in full makeup, and it scared me at first,” he admitted. “I wanted to keep my distance, but she’s so sweet. Everyone involved in this movie was fantastic. It was one of those communal experiences you hope for while working.”
Garner echoed Brolin’s sentiments, expressing her excitement about working with him. “It was incredible working with Josh,” she said, with him standing beside her on the red carpet at the Broadway Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. “We had a blast every day, filled with laughter. He’s an amazing actor and an even better person. Being able to meet him and collaborate with him was truly a remarkable experience.”
Director Zach Cregger praised both actors as “exceptional talents,” highlighting their versatility. “What I love about them is that they’re dramatic actors who excel at comedy, allowing them to navigate the tonal shifts seamlessly,” he explained. “The horror genre often struggles to attract top-tier talent, but I feel incredibly lucky to have them on board, along with the entire cast.”
Joining Brolin and Garner are a talented ensemble, including Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, June Diane Raphael, Luke Speakman, Benedict Wong, Clayton Ferris, Toby Huss, and Whitmer Thomas. "Weapons" is set to hit theaters on August 8.
Ehrenreich shared his enthusiasm about the project: “It’s a fantastic cast and one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. When I met Zach and learned about his vision, it made everything click. He writes about real human experiences, not just entertainment. Working on something that stems from such a unique perspective makes it all the more enjoyable. This is one of my favorite films I’ve been part of."
With a stellar cast and an intriguing storyline, "Weapons" promises to be a standout film this summer. Don’t miss it!
