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Breaking: Justin long Reveals Intense Physical Change and Real-Life Police Training for Role in Zach Cregger‘s ‘Weapons’ – Actor Justin Long underwent a significant physical and immersive preparation process for his role in Zach Cregger’s upcoming horror-thriller, ‘Weapons,’ scheduled for release in 2025.
julia Garner in ‘Weapons’ (2025) (Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection)
Long detailed his commitment to embodying the character,stating he intentionally gained weight,cultivated a mustache,and wore the full police uniform throughout filming. “I put on a little weight for the part, I grew the mustache, and I put on the actual uniform, and it made a big difference. it gets the character into your body in a different way,” he explained. The film was primarily shot in Atlanta, georgia, during the summer months, presenting additional challenges.
Initially, the production team considered omitting the use of a bulletproof vest for Long’s character due to the Atlanta heat, which frequently exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Though, Long advocated for its inclusion. “At first, we decided that I didn’t need to wear a bulletproof vest,” he said. “They’re heavy and its already a hundred degrees in Atlanta, where we shot the movie. But then I said, ‘Let’s do the bulletproof vest.’ I wanted to be carrying it around. I wanted the weight of the world on this guy’s shoulders as much as possible.” A standard bulletproof vest can weigh between 6 to 8 pounds.
To ensure authenticity,Long engaged in practical training with a local Atlanta police officer. He recounted a training session where the officer utilized his wife as a practice subject for arrest procedures. “I spent some time with a cop,” long shared. “I sat in his living room with him and his wife, and the two of them walked me through the motions of what it would look like to tackle someone, cuff them, arrest them, do all these things, using his wife as the perp. She was very lovely-and a real trooper about it! They were both really helpful.”
‘Weapons,’ directed by Zach Cregger, follows his critically acclaimed 2022 film, Barbarian. The film is produced by Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, known for producing films like It (2017) and The Ring (2002). The film’s narrative extends beyond traditional horror tropes, incorporating social commentary on gun violence.
A dream sequence within ‘Weapons’ has sparked discussion regarding its potential allegorical meaning.