After ‘Nosferatu,’ Robert Eggers Will Now Make A Werewolf Movie

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After the highly anticipated debut of “Nosferatu”, filmmaker Robert Eggers is swiftly moving away from the monster genre. His next project, named “Werwulf”, is now actively being developed, and there’s a possibility he might bring some recognizable actors along for the ride.

In the realm of horror, vampires and werewolves have traditionally served as its cornerstones, frequently appearing together or facing off in stories. The game “Werwulf” seems like a fitting thematic sequel to the classic “Nosferatu“.

Based on recent news, it appears that Eggers is planning to work again with Lily-Rose Depp and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, both of whom are being considered for a role in the forthcoming werewolf movie.

In the movie, Eggers will reteam with Icelandic author Sjón, whom he collaborated with on the script for “The Northman“.

Although specifics about the casting are still undisclosed, it’s clear that this upcoming project promises to be one of Eggers’ most challenging endeavors thus far.

A Medieval Tale Told In Old English

As a history enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about Werwulf, which is rumored to take place in medieval England during the 13th century. Just like before, Eggers seems to be diving deep into the past, promising an immersive historical experience.

The title of the film mirrors this thought: The term “werwulf” in the title is an ancient forerunner to our current term, “werewolf.

The movie is said to be filmed entirely using Old English. To help understanding, annotations and translations will be provided throughout the film.

What Kind Of Werewolf Are We Getting?

Eggers consistently demonstrates a strong distaste towards oversimplified representations of folklore in popular culture, instead favoring meticulous historical precision in his works.

It seems as though Eggers is steering clear from typical Hollywood werewolf clichés such as vulnerability to silver bullets or transforming only during full moon nights, based on his selection of time period and language for the story.

It’s intriguing that, if he chooses to draw from historical influences, he would have a rich pool of ideas to explore. However, the legends surrounding werewolves are quite inconsistent, offering him a challenge in maintaining continuity.

Over various civilizations, the concept of werewolves has assumed numerous shapes and meanings. Sometimes it’s an unwanted curse, other times it’s a deal with the Devil, often symbolized by magical belts or ointments. In certain stories, the transformation isn’t physical at all; instead, the true werewolf might be a doppelganger – a spirit wandering as an animal while the human form remains inert.

In Eggers’ portrayal of the werewolf, there might be an attempt to subvert typical audience expectations, much like how Count Orlok was depicted in Nosferatu. Unlike most contemporary representations that focus on monstrous half-human, half-beast entities, folk tales often describe werewolves as resembling ordinary wolves quite closely, with distinctive traits such as a missing tail, human eyes, or the ability to speak.

Choosing the 13th century as a time-setting for the movie is an interesting choice for sure.

In simpler terms, most known werewolf legends in Europe either originated before the 1200s or appeared much later during the early modern period when witch trials were common. Therefore, Eggers is less adapting an old story and more creating a world for his folklore that could theoretically have existed hidden within medieval England.

That gives him significant freedom. And knowing Eggers, he won’t waste it.

A Christmas Release And A Potential Shared Universe?

The movie “Werwulf” will be launched on Christmas Day, 2026, which is an atypical selection for a festive season release.

Although an official link hasn’t been established between Nosferatu and Werwulf, a previously cut scene from the expanded version of Nosferatu has sparked intrigue and speculation.

In the given scene, Count Orlok mentions the “Feast of Saint Andrew,” also known as Sfântul Andrei. During this night, according to Count Orlok’s explanation to Thomas, “the devil’s power allows wolves to speak like humans.

It could possibly be a nod to Romanian folklore associated with Saint Andrew’s Day, where people seek protection from wolves. In this legend, wolves are said to roam unchecked on this particular night, capable of consuming any being they select. There’s a belief that these beasts can mimic human speech. The ominous tale suggests that if someone hears a wolf speak, their fate will be sealed by death.

Wolves that undergo a unique transformation during a specific night and can communicate verbally appear quite similar to common representations of the werewolf folklore.

Could these stories, Nosferatu and Werwulf, possibly imply a direct link? That’s plausible, or it might just be an acknowledgment of their folklore roots with no deeper significance.

Regardless of the circumstances, Eggers’ continued interest in ancient legends, evident in his previous films, suggests an unprecedented werewolf story awaits us.

Would you prefer J.K. Eggers’ approach to a classic horror theme, or are you more inclined to stay with Twilight in this case?

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2025-07-16 21:10