‘Behemoth!’ trailer reveals Pedro Pascal as tortured cellist alongside Olivia Wilde and Eva Victor

Pedro Pascal is stepping into an entirely different role with Behemoth!, a new musical drama from filmmaker Tony Gilroy that has unveiled its first official trailer ahead of its December release.

The Searchlight Pictures film stars Pascal as Alex Serian, an internationally acclaimed cellist who returns to Los Angeles after spending 20 years travelling the world. After dedicating his life to music, Alex becomes immersed in the demanding world of Hollywood film scoring, where old memories and personal struggles begin resurfacing as he attempts to rebuild his life.

The newly released trailer offers the first extended look at the project, showing Pascal moving between recording studios, orchestra sessions and concert halls while carrying the emotional weight of a character whose lifelong passion for music has also become his greatest burden. The footage places particular emphasis on the physical intensity of playing the cello, highlighting Alex's emotional journey through performance rather than dialogue.

Pascal is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor and Will Arnett. While details about their characters remain under wraps, the trailer suggests each will play an important role as Alex navigates both his personal relationships and the pressures of composing music within the Hollywood studio system.

The project marks another ambitious effort from Gilroy, whose previous work includes Michael Clayton, The Bourne Legacy and the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor. Rather than focusing on performers in front of the camera, Behemoth! explores the often overlooked musicians responsible for creating film scores behind the scenes.

Gilroy has previously explained that the idea grew from spending time with orchestras while collaborating with composers Nicholas Britell and Michael Giacchino on different productions. Watching dozens of musicians transform into a single unified ensemble inspired him to tell a story centred on the hidden creative process behind some of cinema's most memorable soundtracks.

To bring authenticity to the film, Gilroy assembled an impressive group of composers to contribute to the score, including Michael Giacchino, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard, Michael Abels, Emily Bear, Henry Jackman, Nami Melumad, Brandon Roberts and Lukas Frank.

Pascal also committed to extensive preparation for the demanding role. After replacing Oscar Isaac, who departed the project during development, the actor underwent months of cello training to make his performance as convincing as possible. He previously described learning the instrument as the most difficult challenge of his career, explaining that mastering the physical techniques required far greater effort than many of the action sequences audiences associate with his previous roles.

That preparation is visible throughout the trailer, which features close shots of Pascal's hands on the strings, careful bow movements and the concentration required to portray a musician whose identity has been shaped by decades of dedication.

Behemoth! will arrive in cinemas on December 4, offering audiences a character driven drama that combines music, emotion and the rarely explored world of Hollywood film composition.