[This article contains significant spoilers for Weapons.]
Weapons represents a pivotal moment for actor Austin Abrams.
In Zach Cregger’s mystery-horror film, Abrams stands out as he transitions from a rising name to a leading star. The 28-year-old Florida native has secured the lead in Cregger’s upcoming project, Resident Evil, and is also at the forefront of Brian Duffield’s adaptation of Whalefall for 20th Century Studios.
The story of Weapons unfolds in Maybrook, PA, and revolves around the mysterious vanishing of 17 schoolchildren at 2:17 AM. Abrams was part of the original cast that initially included Pedro Pascal, but due to scheduling conflicts from the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Pascal had to exit. Abrams, however, chose to wait it out while Cregger reorganized the cast.
“I just wanted to do Weapons,” Abrams expressed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “When I saw Cregger’s work in Barbarian, I felt an immediate connection to his filmmaking style, and I knew I wanted to collaborate with him.”
Despite not knowing how his loyalty impacted his casting in Resident Evil, Abrams believes it certainly didn’t harm his chances. The role of Archer Graff, initially meant for Pascal, eventually went to Josh Brolin, leading to a unique dynamic between Brolin and Abrams, especially since they now share a father-son relationship in Whalefall.
As he reflects on the film, Abrams feels empathy for his character, James, who struggles with addiction under a witch’s spell in the film’s dark climax. While he initially found the script’s witchcraft aspects surprising, he couldn’t put it down. “I just couldn’t stop reading,” he remarked about Cregger’s work, noting the continual freshness of the storytelling.
With Weapons currently in theaters, Abrams looks to the future as he prepares for Resident Evil, indicating Cregger’s thorough preparation for the project. The film is a testament to how various experiences and relationships shape actors’ journeys in the industry.
