New York Film Festival Unveils World Premiere of Tony Gilroy’s ‘Behemoth!’

The New York Film Festival has announced the world premiere of Tony Gilroy’s highly anticipated drama, ‘Behemoth!’, starring the talented Pedro Pascal as its Centerpiece selection at the 64th edition of the festival.

Set to screen on Friday, October 2, ahead of its theatrical release on December 4, ‘Behemoth!’ tells the story of Alex, a former child prodigy and cellist who has returned to Los Angeles to resolve unfinished family business and record film scores, played by the versatile Pedro Pascal.

Directed by the acclaimed Tony Gilroy, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Olivia Wilde, Hank Azaria, and Will Arnett, with a soundtrack featuring original movie compositions by leading musicians in the industry.

Tony Gilroy on the NYFF Experience

When asked about the significance of having ‘Behemoth!’ premiere at the NYFF, Tony Gilroy expressed his lifelong connection to the festival, stating, “I have been orbiting NYFF for the great majority of my life. I was baptized by Fitzcarraldo. I was tending bar across the street and a customer tipped me a single ticket. It was a bad seat to the most remarkable screening I’d ever attended. There were many memorable nights to follow. The Centerpiece invitation is a fantasy I’ve conjured more times than I care to admit. NYFF has always been the benchmark for me; the opportunity to premiere a film I cannot wait to show, in that hall, to that audience, feels every bit as thrilling as I’d imagined. I’m honored.”

Awards-winning writer, director, and producer Tony Gilroy made his feature directorial debut with Oscar-nominated Michael Clayton, going on to write and direct Duplicity and The Bourne Legacy. He also wrote the first three Bourne films and co-wrote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

“There is so much to savor in this immaculately crafted film, from its creative use of music to its note-perfect ensemble cast. Holding it all together is a tour de force by Pedro Pascal, one of the performances of the year from one of our true movie stars,” said NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim.

NYFF Schedule and Lineup

The New York Film Festival runs from September 25 to October 12, with James Gray’s crime thriller ‘Paper Tiger’ opening the festival. The world premiere of Ava DuVernay’s documentary ‘14th’ will be the closing night film.

The festival will also feature a range of other exciting films and events, so be sure to check out the full schedule and lineup for more information.