'Didn't just cry, I sobbed': Josh Brolin on his emotional reaction to reading Whalefall script

Josh Brolin in Whalefall. Pic via YouTube

Actor Josh Brolin has revealed that reading the script of Whalefall left him so overwhelmed that he broke down in tears. The Academy Award-nominated actor said the story resonated with him deeply, describing it as poetic, visceral and emotional. The survival thriller is based on Daniel Kraus's bestselling novel and is set to arrive in Indian cinemas on October 16.

Josh Brolin's emotional reaction to Whalefall

Starring Austin Abrams, Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd, the film follows Jay Gardiner (Abrams), who ventures into the waters off California's central coast to search for his deceased father's remains. His dive takes a terrifying turn when he is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. With only an hour of oxygen left, Jay must draw on the lessons his father taught him to find a way out.

"I slowed down when I was reading it because I didn't want it to end," he said. "I finished it, I put it on my chest, I wrapped my arms around my chest, and I sobbed. I didn't just cry; I sobbed, because it resonated with me so deeply, and it was poetic and visceral, and emotional."

Brolin plays Mitt Gardiner, Jay's father, a local diving legend and passionate member of the Monterey Dive Club. Although Mitt's death sets the story in motion, the character remains central to Jay's journey. Producer Allan Mandelbaum explained Mitt's significance to the narrative, saying, "Our story actually starts with Mitt. He is the catalyst for Jay's adventure."

Josh Brolin on playing Jay Gardiner's father

Describing his character, Brolin said Mitt is a tough father with a deep fascination for the sea and the works of writer John Steinbeck. The actor was particularly drawn to the character's lasting influence on the film's narrative.

"Mitt is pretty tough as a father," he said. "I think of him as this seafaring, nautical-obsessed, Steinbeck-obsessed character, and I don't know if I've ever been so willing and happy to dive into something." Mandelbaum said Brolin's personality made him a natural fit for the role, while producer Brian Grazer praised the actor's commanding screen presence and confidence.

Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall features a screenplay by Duffield and Kraus. The film brings together a survival premise and a father-son relationship, with Mitt's influence continuing to shape Jay's fight for survival even after his death. The survival adventure releases in Indian theatres on Friday, October 16.