In the latest episode of Pizza Film School Season 3, the Russo Brothers sit down with Finn, the casting mastermind behind the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Mandalorian, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Mosul, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame.

With slices from Cosa Buona in Echo Park and a few Aperol Spritzes, the trio takes a deep dive into the art of casting—how Finn discovers stars, why Robert Redford’s Marvel role was a shock to everyone (including her), and how an unknown Tom Holland landed the role of Spider-Man.

From Accidental Casting Director to Hollywood Powerhouse

Finn never planned on becoming a casting director. She started as an actor and theater producer in New York City, working in off-Broadway productions before moving to Los Angeles and taking a job with casting director Risa Bramon Garcia.

From there, she never looked back.

Finn describes casting as a job that blends multiple skills—understanding actors, working with directors, balancing budgets and schedules, and knowing how to identify intangibles that can’t be taught.

“Casting is so much more than picking actors. It’s about shaping the entire DNA of a film.”

How Do You Find the Next Big Star?

Ever wonder what actually happens behind the scenes of casting a major film? Finn breaks it down:

📌 Step 1: Read the script & meet with the director. What’s the tone? What’s the vision? What’s the world we’re creating?

📌 Step 2: Release a breakdown. Casting directors send out descriptions of the roles to agents, managers, and networks.

📌 Step 3: Go through thousands (yes, thousands) of submissions. For one role, Finn can get over 2,000 submissions, narrow it down to 200, and only send 20 to the directors.

📌 Step 4: Auditions, callbacks, and chemistry tests. Finn explains that sometimes the perfect actor isn’t obvious on paper but shines in auditions. Other times, an actor might not seem “right” at first, but a single scene can change everything.

📌 Step 5: The Offer. Some actors audition, others are cast based on their reputation and past performances (see: Robert Redford, more on that below).

Robert Redford in the MCU? Here’s How It Happened.

Redford’s casting in Captain America: The Winter Soldier was one of the most unexpected moments in Marvel history.

Finn reveals that securing Redford wasn’t as simple as making an offer—it was a process of carefully bringing him into the Marvel world.

“It was a bit of a courtship,” she says.

At first, Redford only took the meeting for one reason: his grandkids.

But once the Russo Brothers met him—and he personally cooked them lunch in his office—the conversation shifted. Redford saw the project’s deeper connection to his ‘70s political thrillers (Three Days of the Condor), and it clicked.

The rest is history.

Joe Russo: “It’s probably the most surprising casting we’ve ever been involved in. I didn’t think there was a chance in hell he’d say yes.”

Casting ‘Mosul’: Finding a Cast for an Entirely Arabic-Language Film

Finn’s work goes beyond Marvel blockbusters—she also helped cast Mosul, AGBO’s Arabic-language war drama.

Unlike a typical Hollywood production, there were no A-list stars attached—every actor needed to be a native Arabic speaker with the right dialect, making the search incredibly specific.

Finn and her team:

• Researched Iraq’s pre-war film industry to find actors who had since relocated.
• Held auditions in Jordan, Michigan, and across the Middle East to find authentic talent.
• Discovered lead actor Suhail Dabbach in Arizona—an Iraqi actor who had nearly given up on the industry.

“We weren’t just casting actors—we were searching for people who could bring real authenticity to the story.”

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The process took months, but the result was one of AGBO’s most powerful films.

Spider-Man Was Almost Not Tom Holland

Recasting Spider-Man for the MCU was one of the most high-pressure casting decisions ever.

Unlike Black Panther (which was an instant offer to Chadwick Boseman), Spider-Man required an exhaustive search for a young actor who could carry the franchise for years.

Finn shares the challenges:

• Marvel couldn’t advertise the role publicly—no one knew Spider-Man was joining the MCU.
• They had thousands of auditions, considering both known actors and complete unknowns.
• The actor needed to match the physicality of Spider-Man but still feel like a real high schooler.

Finn pushed for Tom Holland, but even he had to go through six or seven auditions, including a screen test with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans.

At one point, Finn gave Holland a key piece of advice that helped him unlock the character:

“I told him to lose the cool factor. I knew he had it, but I needed him to fully embrace Peter Parker’s awkward nerdiness.”

The Best Casting Story Ever? ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’

Before Michelle Yeoh took the lead role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, the script was actually written for Jackie Chan.

Chan passed on the film, forcing the Daniels to rethink the entire movie. That decision changed everything.

Finn describes how Michelle Yeoh’s casting opened the door for a different kind of story—one that was funnier, more heartfelt, and more personal.

“Jackie Chan saying no was a blessing in disguise. When an actor passes, it usually means they’re not the right fit.”

She also recalls the search for Ke Huy Quan, who hadn’t acted in decades and nearly gave up on his career before auditioning.

“When Ke auditioned, we knew instantly. He had that magic. He was perfect.”

Now, he’s an Academy Award winner.

The Takeaway: What Makes a Great Casting Director?

The episode wraps with Finn reflecting on her career and what makes a truly great casting director:

💡 Curiosity. You have to constantly search for fresh talent and unexpected choices.
🎭 Intuition. The right actor isn’t just about their skills—it’s about their energy, presence, and authenticity.
⚡ Adaptability. Every movie, every director, and every role requires a different approach.

“Casting is the moment when a character is born. It’s where the movie truly begins.”

And as the Russo Brothers put it:

“Sarah Finn didn’t just cast the MCU—she built it.”

Sarah Finn just set the bar high, but there’s plenty more to come. Stay tuned for the next Pizza Film School drop, where the Russos bring in more of their closest collaborators to keep the film school energy going.

Until then—watch, learn, and grab another slice. 🍕🎬

Watch the full episode here → [HERE]