Imagine kicking off what could be the pinnacle of an actor's career, only to juggle a whirlwind of blockbuster releases and upcoming projects that leave fans buzzing with excitement. That's the electrifying reality for Josh Brolin in 2025, a year that's not just busy—it's bursting with creativity and star power. But here's where it gets controversial: With so many hits under his belt, is this relentless pace a sign of Hollywood's golden era, or a recipe for burnout that could dim the spotlight on quality storytelling? Stick around, and let's dive into the stories behind the scenes that most people miss.
Josh Brolin's 2025 might just be hailed as his career's crowning glory, but one thing's for sure—it's undeniably his most productive period yet. His newest flick, The Running Man, hits theaters this Friday, riding the wave of this summer's genre smash, Weapons. And if that weren't thrilling enough, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery kicks off its limited theatrical run on November 26. Sandwiched between these releases, Brolin also filmed Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars, Brian Duffield's Whalefall, and Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three. To top it off, he's gearing up for Mister, the feature film directorial debut of Wade Eastwood, a veteran second-unit director and stunt coordinator from the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Speaking of The Running Man, Brolin's highly anticipated team-up with filmmaker Edgar Wright traces back to the 2007 Cannes Film Festival—a prestigious international film event held annually in France, where movies premiere and deals are made. Brolin was there celebrating the world debut of his first Coen Brothers collaboration, No Country for Old Men, which went on to snag the Academy Award for Best Picture. Wright happened to be in the audience too, and their paths crossed at a lively after-party, sparking a lasting friendship.
As Brolin recounts to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of The Running Man's November 14 release, 'There's a photo I have of me planting a kiss on Edgar's cheek, and I'm pretty sure it was the result of one too many drinks. So, Cannes in 2007 marked the start of our connection, and over the years, whenever we'd run into each other, we'd chat about teaming up on a project.' Wright, known for his wide circle of friends, often popped up on sets where Brolin was working, including the one for Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man. 'He always points out that every time he sees me, we're on the same set with another director or colleague of mine. And when I spot him behind the camera monitor, I just groan playfully before getting back to work,' Brolin laughs. 'We've got this hilarious back-and-forth banter. I ran into him on the Knives Out set, and that might've been the moment he thought, 'Hey, Josh could fit right in...' Shortly after, Wright cast Brolin as Dan Killian in The Running Man, the executive producer of a deadly reality show competition within the film's world—think a high-stakes game where survival is the ultimate prize.
In the original 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson played a dual role as both the show's host and its executive producer. But Wright's version stays truer to Stephen King's source novel (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), where the host and the producer are separate characters. (Colman Domingo steps in as the charismatic host, Bobby 'Bobby T' Thompson.) Killian zeros in on the perfect contestant: Glen Powell's Ben Richards, a man desperate to support his wife and sick child. To nail the role, Brolin drew from real-life encounters with entertainment executives and wealthy tycoons he's met through his career. 'We all reminisce about how wild things were in the past,' he shares. 'Back then, if you took someone out for drinks and got them tipsy, they'd spill secrets you never asked for, leaving you thinking, 'Whoa, I didn't need to know that!' It came in handy to reflect on those wild nights when I was gathering info for other roles and realize, 'Hey, I can channel that here.' And this is the part most people miss: Killian's charm hides a manipulative edge, exploiting people's vulnerabilities for personal gain—whether it's boosting ratings or feeding his ego. I've met folks like that in real life, who thrive on preying on the weak, and it's a chilling reminder of how power dynamics play out in both fiction and reality.
Brolin's standout year before this was 2018, packed with heavy hitters like Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2, and Sicario: Day of the Soldado. Fans have been clamoring for a third Sicario installment ever since, with Brolin and his producers at Black Label Media dropping positive updates to THR in 2022 and 2023. Yet, the wait drags on, and Brolin admits he's still in the dark about the details. 'People keep saying it's just around the bend. I'm confident it's happening, but the timeline? That's anyone's guess,' he says. 'I'm pumped about the idea, but we can't drag our feet forever—we'll all be too old to keep up!' This endless anticipation raises a provocative question: In an industry obsessed with franchises, is holding out for perfection worth risking a fanbase's patience, or should studios prioritize timely releases over endless tinkering?
During a recent chat with THR, Brolin also touched on a key tweak he helped influence in the Weapons script. Let's explore that further.
Between all the films dropping this year and the ones he's wrapped recently, how does 2025 stack up for you overall? It's a solid year, and you can view it two ways. From an external standpoint, it's about how the movies perform or what buzz they generate. Personally, I've churned out five projects back-to-back, and I'm thrilled with my choices. Sure, sometimes you second-guess decisions, but it's not just about box office numbers—it's how the film sits with me emotionally. I'm genuinely pleased with what we've created. I love the variety in these stories. Weapons was an under-the-radar gem that exceeded our wildest dreams, kicking things off on a high note. (Laughs.) On a personal level, I'm proud of the work. [For context, Brolin filmed Weapons, Wake Up Dead Man, The Running Man, The Dog Stars, and Whalefall one after another, plus a supporting role in Dune: Part Three, based on the source material.]
You and Edgar Wright both had ties to Grindhouse in different ways. Was that where you first connected, or was it at the Cannes premiere of No Country for Old Men in 2007? It was at Cannes for No Country, definitely. We'd never crossed paths before. There's that photo of me kissing his cheek, and yeah, probably fueled by a few drinks. So, that festival kicked off our friendship, and in the ensuing years, we'd bump into each other and always talk about collaborating someday. He jokingly reminds me that whenever he spots me, it's on a set with one of my director buddies. And when I see him manning the monitor, I sigh dramatically before diving back in. We've developed this playful dynamic. I spotted him on the Knives Out (Wake Up Dead Man) set, and that likely sparked the idea: 'Maybe Josh would be perfect for this...' He might've thought it earlier, but it was a joy to finally work together—he's a great guy.
In The Running Man, you're essentially portraying half of what Richard Dawson's character did in the 1987 original, where he handled both hosting and producing. Here, you and Colman Domingo divide those roles, staying faithful to Stephen King's (aka Richard Bachman) book. Did you draw inspiration from any real-life executives you've encountered? Absolutely, several come to mind. I've met a bunch through my line of work—and even a few billionaires. Some are incredibly kind, actually. We often joke about how things were more outrageous in the old days: You'd wine and dine someone until they were loose-lipped, spilling details you wished you hadn't heard, making you go, 'Oh wow.' So, I pondered what's lurking beneath the polished exterior, the showy facade they put on. It proved invaluable to revisit those seemingly wasted evenings when I was researching other characters and think, 'Eureka, this fits perfectly.' There are definite echoes of a few in there.
Does Killian deliberately wield his smile and gestures to manipulate others? Oh, he's acutely aware of every move. He knows exactly how to charm or disarm, exploiting weaknesses like a pro. Even with Ben's character, who reacts differently, Killian feeds off any emotion—anger only delights him because it shows he's hooked someone. It's a tactic I've seen in real people who target the vulnerable, all in the name of ratings or ego. This portrayal begs the question: In our media-driven world, where do we draw the line between entertainment and exploiting human frailty for profit?
Were you behind Colman Domingo's character, Bobby T, endorsing Liquid Death? Did you help seal that partnership, given how it meshes with the film's brutal vibe? Nope, I didn't orchestrate it, but I was in on the conversation. Mike Cessario founded Liquid Death, and I'm actually an investor in the brand. I insist on having it wherever I go—it's my one 'actor perk.' (Laughs.) It's non-negotiable for me.
We've hit that familiar spot in your interviews where another adult fan pleads for Sicario 3. Last year, your producers Molly Smith and Thad Luckinbill told me it was almost a done deal. (Back in 2022, you mentioned it had been written and revised.) So, what's the hold-up this time? It's a massive curve in the road, with a tiny steering wheel. At one point, I doubted it'd ever happen. Then, all hell broke loose when Molly, Thad, and Trent [Luckinbill] spoke out. But folks keep assuring me it's imminent. I'm sure it's on the horizon; the 'when' is the mystery. I'm eager, but let's not wait too long—we'll all be gray-haired and shuffling!
One of the year's most hilarious moments is in Weapons, where your character Archer struggles to handle Austin Abrams' James. Was the humor evident on set? It was meant to be funny, but in the moment, hurling someone across the room doesn't feel comedic. Repetition is key in comedy, though—too much can grate, while just enough can kill. Zach [Cregger] nailed the balance, blending terror with absurdity in a way that's still a puzzle to me.
Did playing father and son with Austin in Brian Duffield's Whalefall right after Weapons feel strange? Not at all, oddly. I was obsessed with Whalefall and my role there. The book by Daniel Kraus is incredible—I read it while shooting The Dog Stars in Italy with Ridley [Scott], and it left me in tears for personal reasons. I'm grateful for the chance to contribute. Austin shone in Weapons and will blow minds in Whalefall.
I reviewed an earlier draft of Zach Cregger's Weapons script, and a pivotal change in the construction site scene stood out. Originally, Archer berates his team for errors, but in the film, he's the one at fault due to grief distraction. Did you influence that shift? We discussed it. It was about him owning up shamefully, channeling his innate frustration and rage. As the story unfolds, losing his child strips away those defenses, forcing him to confront regrets. Like in his dream, he wishes he'd expressed love more. It's a powerful lesson: We often only appreciate what we have after it's gone, and that's central to the character's arc.
Finally, you're a master of transformation on screen, blending seamlessly into different worlds—surfers, skaters, bikers, punks, cowboys. Have you figured out your secret to adaptability? I'm just curious, dude. I'm an explorer. (Laughs.) Sounds silly, but I dig how minds work, what drives people. It's not detached observation; I genuinely enjoy it all—from surfing to skating to long motorcycle rides. I don't just dip my toes in; I go full throttle, like a 1,200-mile bike trip that leaves me wrecked and sunburnt. This career? It's selfishly fulfilling—everything fuels my passion for a vibrant life.
The Running Man arrives in theaters on November 14.
What do you think, readers? Does Brolin's packed schedule reflect a healthy creative burst, or is Hollywood pushing actors too hard? And on a spicier note, is drawing from real executives for villainous roles like Killian a smart artistic choice, or does it blur the line into unethical territory? Share your takes in the comments—agree, disagree, or add your own spin!
