Pedro Pascal calls cello training career’s toughest challenge

Pedro Pascal said at the Oct. 13, 2026 premiere of Behemoth! at the 70th BFI London Film Festival that learning to play the cello convincingly was the most challenging task of his acting career. "I'd never been so afraid," he said. "I've been nervous about other jobs and the physical ... emotional demands, but it was nothing like this." He joked he would choose fighting The Mountain in Game of Thrones or being tossed off a cliff with Nicolas Cage over learning the cello. Pascal, 51, plays Alex Serian, a classically trained cellist returning to Los Angeles after nearly two decades of touring. He said that once he held the cello he felt good and is now in love with the instrument and its sound, long a secret favorite and nice physical company. Tony Gilroy directs; co-stars include Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett and Alexa Swinton. Gilroy described fundraising difficulties due to the film's required Los Angeles setting. Eva Victor recalled musicians on the production saying, "Finally, a movie about us," as the film spotlights film scoring. The role was originally intended for Oscar Isaac, who stepped down in August. UK release is December 4. No factual dispute appears in the record; rated coverage was only from right-leaning outlets.