Josh Brolin in 2025: Film Projects & Personal Milestones

Josh Brolin is having a remarkable year — starring in high‑profile projects, reflecting on his early career, and offering thoughtful commentary on Hollywood’s legacy. Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest news about Josh Brolin today.

A Horror Movie That Breaks the Mold — Weapons

Josh Brolin headlines Weapons, a new psychological horror‑mystery from director Zach Cregger (of Barbarian fame). The film is generating buzz almost everywhere:

• Plot & style: Set in a small Illinois town, 17 children vanish from one classroom at 2:17 a.m., plunging the community into paranoia and chaos. The story unfolds in shifting character perspectives, combining horror with dark humor and a stark social commentary on suburban apathy .

• Critical acclaim: The pre‑release “100% Rotten Tomatoes” rating underlines the strong early response, with critics praising its emotional depth and inventive narrative structure .

• Josh’s motivation: Brolin portrayed Archer Graff, a grieving father, in order to challenge and deconstruct “staunch masculinity.” He said the role offered a rare opportunity to confront toxic masculinity and valorize emotional openness among men .

• Directorial insights: Director Zach Cregger acknowledged that Pedro Pascal was originally cast in the lead but replaced by Brolin due to scheduling conflicts stemming from the 2023 SAG‑AFTRA and WGA strikes .

Josh Brolin on Weapons:

• He describes the set atmosphere as “really communal” and deeply connected, creating a unique collaborative energy .

• He sees the film as potentially a “milestone experience” for viewers, heralding it as an emotional and genre‑bending fragment unlike most horror releases .

• Co‑stars Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich and Julia Garner reportedly had their minds blown by the script’s unpredictability, saying they “had no idea where it was gonna go” .

Reflecting on The Goonies, Then and Now

Nearly 40 years after his breakout role in The Goonies (1985), Brolin continues to reflect on that experience.

• He recently revealed that on the first half‑day of shooting he “completely ruined” it by being so nervous and unsure — yet now regards the experience as “one of my greatest” .

• While an official sequel is in development at Warner Bros., Brolin is cautious. He’s expressed that though he’d be happy to revisit it, he fears that nothing should tarnish the original’s legacy. He said original creator Steven Spielberg has rejected five scripts so far, attesting to high standards .

On Set, Past & Future Projects

Set transformations & upcoming roles

• On the set of Whalefall, Brolin was spotted with dramatic new look: long hair, beard, and nautical-themed tattoos. His character Mitt Gardiner has a rough, weathered look fitting the survival thriller genre . Whalefall is scheduled for a U.S. release on October 16, 2026, and was shot starting June 2025 in California .

• He’s also attached to The Running Man (2025 version), directed by Edgar Wright, playing the villain Dan Killian in a modern reimagining of the classic Stephen King-based game‑show thriller .

Business, sobriety & personal history

• Brolin has been sober since 2013 and has spoken publicly about the impact of sobriety on his personal growth and parenting .

• He also co‑founded MarketProbability, a stock‑trading website, showing an entrepreneurial side alongside his acting career .

Josh Brolin’s Recent & Upcoming Projects

Josh Brolin — Highlights 

1. Emotional vulnerability in Weapons

   • Using a horror plot to explore masculinity and emotional openness. Praised as bold storytelling.

2. Career nostalgia meets caution

   • Recalling The Goonies with fondness, admitting early-day nerves, while guarded about a sequel tarnishing the original.

3. Visual transformations for new roles

   • From heavy tattoos in Whalefall to gritty realism, continuing to evolve physically for parts.

4. Industry activism

   • Highlighting how the 2023 strikes affected casting (e.g. his replacing Pedro Pascal in Weapons).

5. Look ahead to Whalefall and Running Man

   • Two very different universes: one a tense sea survival thriller, the other a stylized antagonist in a game-show dystopia.

Final Thoughts — Why Brolin Is Still Essential

Josh Brolin remains a compelling presence in Hollywood for several reasons. First, his willingness to deconstruct masculinity through complex characters (as in Weapons) shows a refreshing depth. Second, he balances nostalgia with responsibility, honoring his breakthrough hit while ensuring that any future Goonies follow-up meets high standards. Third, his adaptability — physical, emotional, genre-wise — keeps him versatile. Finally, he continues to engage candidly with fans and the press about personal growth, sobriety, creativity, and conscience in filmmaking.