Fans may not witness David Harbour and Pedro Pascal together until Avengers: Doomsday. Harbour, the unforgettable Hopper of Stranger Things, and Pascal, Hollywood’s reigning star of The Last of Us, were to headline a drama. Harbour’s abrupt departure from the project now sets Pascal alongside a new cinematic titan.

After David Harbour’s sudden departure from Behemoth! for personal reasons, Searchlight Pictures acted swiftly to secure a replacement. Will Arnett, celebrated for his recent dramatic turn in Is This Thing On!, has joined Pedro Pascal and the ensemble cast, as per Deadline.

Arnett’s inclusion marks a notable shift from his comedic legacy to dramatic roles, reflecting the studio’s confidence in his versatility. The film, directed by Tony Gilroy and starring Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Matthew Lillard, Margarita Levieva, and Alexa Swinton, continues production without significant delays.

Deadline's sources indicated that Harbour’s scenes which required reshoots are minimal due to his focus on Stranger Things publicity. With production scheduled to conclude in the coming weeks, Arnett is stepping into Harbour’s role seamlessly, ensuring the film’s timeline remains intact.

When the creators faced the task of replacing David Harbour, Will Arnett immediately felt like the perfect choice. His widely praised performance in Is This Thing On? made the decision nearly effortless.

While fans will miss Jim Hopper in Behemoth!, David Harbour is keeping busy with an impressive roster of upcoming work.

What David Harbour Has Coming Up Next

David Harbour’s 2026 slate begins with Goat on February 13, an animated sports comedy in which he voices Archie Everhardt, a single father Indian rhinoceros and enforcer for a roarball team. Harbour imbues the character with charm, paternal warmth, and a touch of comic menace.

By December, Harbour will don the Red Guardian suit once more in Avengers: Doomsday. As Alexei Shostakov, he will battle alongside fresh heroes against Doctor Doom, threading the MCU’s tapestry toward the epic conclusion of Phase Six.

On December 4, Harbour will return as the lethal Santa Claus in Violent Night 2, stranded in a New Jersey mall. He is set to balance the absurdity of his holiday role with the physicality and menace fans have come to expect.

Meanwhile, Harbour’s dramatic ambitions continue with HBO’s DTF St. Louis and productions such as Evil Genius and The Trashers. From extreme physical transformations to morally complex real-life figures, he demonstrates a fearless approach to storytelling and character embodiment.

Are you excited to watch Behemoth! and Harbour's upcoming works? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui