Watching Weapons was definitely a wild ride. Zach Cregger’s follow-up to his breakout hit Barbarian has already been earning praise for its story, direction, and that unforgettable moment fans have been calling “that face” (if you know, you know). But beyond the twists and turns of the film itself, there’s another story worth telling: the one about the movie that could have been.
Before the cameras rolled on the version of Weapons we now know, the cast looked very different and included Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry in a pivotal role. Henry was originally set to play the unhinged, fast-running Principal Marcus, a role that ultimately went to Doctor Strange star Benedict Wong.
A Victim of Timing
The change wasn’t due to creative differences or performance concerns; it came down to timing. The lengthy production delays caused by the 2023 Hollywood strikes completely reshuffled the project’s schedule. As the pause dragged on, many of the original cast members, including Henry and Pedro Pascal, were forced to step away due to conflicting commitments.
By the time Weapons was finally ready to move forward, Cregger and his team had to recast nearly the entire ensemble. While Wong’s take on Principal Marcus was amazing, it’s hard not to imagine how Henry would have shaped the character.
The Film We Got vs. The Film That Could Have Been
The final version of Weapons features a powerhouse lineup: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Wong, each delivering performances that elevate Cregger’s tense, layered storytelling. Still, for fans of Henry, the thought of him sprinting down the street as a deranged school principal is the kind of “what if” casting that stings just a little.
Cregger, whose Barbarian in 2022 made him one of horror’s most exciting new voices, has once again crafted a film that thrives on mystery, discomfort, and unexpected left turns.
With the way Weapons is tracking, maybe Cregger will find a way to work with Henry on his next project. If that happens, fans might finally get the horror magic pairing they didn’t know they needed.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com / Warner Bros.
