Next in line from writer/director Zach Cregger, known for “Barbarian,” is New Line Cinema’s project titled “Weapons,” initially set to star Pedro Pascal from “The Last of Us.” However, according to Jeff Sneider’s newsletter, The Insneider, Pascal has reportedly exited the film, citing being “forced to drop out” due to his demanding schedule.

Pascal is gearing up to start filming Season 2 of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” and his busy agenda also includes the recently announced movie “The Mandalorian & Grogu.”

Renate Reinsve from “The Worst Person in the World” is currently part of the Weapons cast.

Moving forward with full momentum towards a theatrical release, production for Weapons is expected to kick off later this year. The film, helmed by Zach Cregger, will see him not only in the director’s chair but also as a producer alongside his Barbarian producing team: Roy Lee of Vertigo and J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. Vertigo’s Miri Yoon is also on board as a producer.

While plot details for Weapons remain under wraps, it is described as a multi and inter-related story horror epic with a tone reminiscent of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film “Magnolia,” known for its ensemble cast.

Richard Brener, President, and Chief Creative Officer of New Line Cinema expressed, “Zach proved with ‘Barbarian’ that he can create a visceral theatrical experience for audiences and that he commands every tool in the filmmaker toolbelt. We couldn’t be happier that he, Roy and Miri, and J.D. and Rafi chose New Line to be the home of his next film, and hope it is the first of many to come.”

Cregger, a founding member and writer for the New York comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U’Know,” has an impressive background, with experience on notable shows such as Jimmy Fallon’s NBC series “Guys with Kids” and the TBS hit series “Wrecked.” He was also a recurring character on the NBC series “About a Boy.”

Weapons is set to be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.