From Vampires to Werewolves: Robert Eggers Lines Up Next Film ‘Werwulf’

Robert Eggers, the filmmaker known for atmospheric, period-specific films such as Nosferatu, The Witch, The Northman, and The Lighthouse, has announced his next chilling endeavour: Werwulf.

As the title suggests, the project will see Eggers exploring the werewolf genre – and with a historical context that’s proven to be his playhouse for unsettling, folk horror.

As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the film is believed to be set in 13th-century England. The screenplay, they report, “also features dialogue that was true to the time period and has translations and annotations for those uninitiated in Old English.” Eggers initially planned to craft the film in black and white, but that decision has apparently been reconsidered.

Eggers has written Werwulf alongside Sjón, the Icelandic author who also co-wrote Eggers film The Northman. Chris and Eleanor Columbus, who served as executive producers on Nosferatu, are returning in the same capacity here.

Werwulf will once again be produced by Focus Features, Universal’s art-house division, following the success of Nosferatu. Focus released that vampire film on Christmas Day in the US, where it drew a surprising $US40 million over its first five days. With a worldwide gross of over $156 million, Nosferatu has become Eggers’ highest-grossing film to date. Focus, of course, is aiming for a repeat holiday success; they’ve slated Werwulf for a North American release on Christmas Day, 2026.

We’re pumped to see what Eggers has in store with a werewolf film. Stay tuned as the cast comes together.

Nosferatu | Image Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC