Story perspectives

Tony Gilroy's “Behemoth!” Debuts Dec. 4, Disney Searchlight Release

7/14/2026

Summary

Gilroy Directs Behemoth

Tony Gilroy wrote and directed the film “Behemoth!” which will open in theaters on Dec. 4.
The cast includes Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, Jobeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria and Will Arnett.
“Behemoth!” is slated for a winter theatrical release.
Searchlight Pictures, the studio behind the film, is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Summary

Gilroy Returns

Tony Gilroy returns after a 14-year directing hiatus with the awards-season film “Behemoth!”.
His recent credits include writing “Rogue One,” co-writing “The Great Wall,” and creating Disney+’s “Andor.”
Producers are Tony Gilroy, his brother John Gilroy, and Sanne Wohlenberg.
The nine-composer “Behemoth! Collective,” including Lukas Frank, Nami Melumad and Brandon Roberts, provides the score.
Searchlight Pictures markets the Dec 4 release as a strategic fall-season launch for awards consideration.

History

Historical Context

In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company completed its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, absorbing the studio’s Searchlight Pictures division. Bob Iger, Disney’s chief executive, justified the deal by projecting a 15 percent increase in annual box-office revenue from the expanded content library. Tony Gilroy’s December 4, 2024 release of “Behemoth!”—his first directing effort in fourteen years—mirrors Disney’s strategy of leveraging newly acquired Searchlight titles for awards-season positioning. The precedent suggests Disney will continue pairing high-profile director comebacks with Searchlight’s prestige-film platform, shaping future festival line-ups and market competition.

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Gilroy Directs Behemoth

Tony Gilroy wrote and directed the film “Behemoth!” which will open in theaters on Dec. 4.
The cast includes Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, Jobeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria and Will Arnett.
“Behemoth!” is slated for a winter theatrical release.
Searchlight Pictures, the studio behind the film, is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

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