Tony Gilroy's Behemoth!, a Searchlight Pictures drama starring Pedro Pascal, will have its world premiere as the Centerpiece selection of the 64th New York Film Festival on Friday, October 2. The film, which also screens in advance of a theatrical release set for December 4, marks Gilroy's first time directing a feature in 14 years. Deadline

Pascal plays Alex, a cellist and former child prodigy piecing together a fractured life. Olivia Wilde plays Alex's manic ex. The cast rounds out with Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria, and Will Arnett. Deadline

Gilroy's name carries weight across studio and prestige filmmaking alike. He made his feature directorial debut with Michael Clayton, co-wrote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide), and created the Lucasfilm series Andor. Behemoth! returns him to the director's chair for a character-driven drama rather than a galaxy-spanning franchise — a shift in scale, if not in ambition. Deadline

The 64th NYFF runs from September 25 through October 12. James Gray's Paper Tiger opens the festival; Ava DuVernay's documentary 14th closes it. Dennis Lim serves as the festival's Artistic Director. The New York Film Festival was first held in 1963, and the Centerpiece slot traditionally sits between Opening and Closing Night as the festival's marquee mid-event gala. Deadline; Film at Lincoln Center

For those looking to attend, the ticketing calendar has several dates to track. Press and industry accreditation applications are due August 14. The deadline to become a Film at Lincoln Center member and secure pre-sale benefits is August 28. General public ticket sales begin September 15. Pass holders have single-ticket fees waived. Film at Lincoln Center

Festival passes from the previous edition were priced at $350 for a six-ticket package, $625 for twelve tickets, $575 for Opening Night Plus, and $650 for Centerpiece and Closing Night Plus. The Premier pass went on sale August 14 last year; this year's pass pricing and on-sale dates should be confirmed closer to the festival. Film at Lincoln Center

The October 2 premiere gives Behemoth! a nine-week runway before its December 4 theatrical opening — a corridor that positions it squarely in the awards-season conversation without rushing the release. For Pascal, whose schedule has made him one of the most in-demand actors working, it adds another prestige credit to a slate that already spans blockbuster franchises and streaming series.