Werwulf
Official logo
Directed by Robert Eggers
Written by
  • Robert Eggers
  • Sjón
Produced by
  • Tim Bevan
  • Eric Fellner
  • Robert Eggers
  • Sjón
Starring
  • Aaron Taylor-Johnson
  • Willem Dafoe
  • Lily-Rose Depp
Cinematography Jarin Blaschke
Edited by Louise Ford
Music by Robin Carolan
Production
companies
  • Focus Features
  • Working Title Films
  • Maiden Voyage Pictures
Distributed by
  • Focus Features (United States)
  • Universal Pictures (International)
Release dates
  • December 25, 2026 (2026-12-25) (United States)
  • January 1, 2027 (2027-01-01) (United Kingdom)
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Language Middle English[1]

Werwulf is an upcoming period Gothic horror film directed by Robert Eggers, who co-wrote the script with Sjón. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, and Lily-Rose Depp.

Werwulf is scheduled to be released in the United States by Focus Features on December 25, 2026, and by Universal Pictures in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2027.

Cast

  • Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the cursed farmer
  • Lily-Rose Depp as the cursed farmer's wife
  • Willem Dafoe as the hunter
  • Ralph Ineson
  • Jack Morris
  • Bodhi Rae Breathnach as the farmer's daughter
  • Jan Bijvoet
  • Ritchi Edwards
  • Valeriia Karaman as a feral woman

Production

In January 2025, it was announced that a horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers titled Werwulf was in development with Focus Features attached to produce and finance the film, which was co-written by Sjón, who had previously worked with Eggers in The Northman (2022). The film would be set in 13th-century England, and would feature Middle English.[2] Eggers went on to say that Werwulf was the darkest script he had ever written.[3]

In July 2025, Aaron Taylor-Johnson joined the cast as the title character, with Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson in talks to join. Working Title Films, along with its producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, would also join the project.[4][5][6] Later, amidst shooting, Jan Bijvoet, Jack Morris and Ritchi Edwards were revealed to have been quietly cast.[7][8][9][10] In January 2026, Bodhi Rae Breathnach joined the cast.[11]

Filming

Werwulf set on Sharp Tor on 16 November 2025

In July 2025, a casting call announced that shooting for Werwulf would begin in Elstree in September.[12] In September 2025, Taylor-Johnson told Esquire that production would officially start on September 8.[13] On October 22, 2025, Screen Daily reported that principal photography was underway at Sky Studios Elstree, England.[14] In late November, filming occurred at Bourne Wood in Surrey.[15][16][7] Jarin Blaschke serves as the cinematographer, after working with Eggers on his previous films.[17][18] The project was shot in Super 35 mm film in a 1.37:1 Academy aspect ratio, with an orthochromatic look due to the incorporation of the grain structure of black and white film onto color film.[19]

Dafoe said that filming would also occur in Wales.[20] Filming was expected near Sharp Tor on Dartmoor in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a small set constructed between Widecombe and Postbridge. The site was used to capture only a minute of footage.[21][22] That November, Taylor-Johnson was seen on set in Dartmoor.[23] Production took place in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire in early December.[24] In January 2026, Blaschke and Ineson revealed on their respective social media accounts that filming had concluded.[25]

Release

Werwulf is scheduled to be released in the United States by Focus Features on December 25, 2026, and by Universal Pictures in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2027.

In April 2026, the first footage from the film was unveiled during the Universal and Focus Features presentation at CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas.[26] The first trailer for the film debuted on June 29, 2026, coinciding with that month's full moon.

References

  1. ^ Breznican, Anthony (June 25, 2026). "Robert Eggers' Werwulf: First Look at Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Werewolf Movie". Esquire. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  2. ^ Kit, Borys (January 22, 2025). "Robert Eggers Reteams with Focus Features for 13th Century Werewolf Thriller 'Werwulf' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  3. ^ Turner, Ashley (February 9, 2025). "Robert Eggers Teases Next Movie is "Darkest Thing" He's Made (And We're Excited)". ComicBook.com. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Stephan, Katcy (July 15, 2025). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Star in Robert Eggers' 'Werwulf,' Lily-Rose Depp in Talks for 'Nosferatu' Reunion". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  5. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 17, 2025). "Willem Dafoe Eyeing Reunion With Robert Eggers For Directors Next Film 'Werwulf' At Focus Features". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Davids, Brian (July 23, 2025). "How Ralph Ineson Went From a Nameless Pilot in 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to the Almighty Galactus in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  7. ^ a b McArdle, Tommy (November 26, 2025). "Lily-Rose Depp Looks Unrecognizable on Set of Werwulf, Her Second Film with Nosferatu Director Robert Eggers". People.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  8. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  9. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  10. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  11. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (January 21, 2026). "'Hamnet' & 'Shelter' Breakout Bodhi Rae Breathnach Joins Cast Of Robert Eggers Creature Feature 'Werwulf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  12. ^ @UKCastingNews (July 1, 2025). "WERWULF, a film to be directed by Robert Eggers, is shooting in Elstree in September" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  13. ^ Evans, Jonathan (September 8, 2025). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson on Working with Armani, Werwulf, and Watches". Esquire. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  14. ^ "Robert Eggers's 'Werwulf' starts filming in UK for Focus Features". Screen Daily. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Shipp, Victoria (November 24, 2025). "Famous faces spotted filming star studded horror film 'Wewulf' in Surrey". Surrey Live. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  16. ^ McQuilton, Marcus (November 24, 2025). "Residents fear being driven howling mad by Bourne Wood werewolf film production". Alton Herald. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  17. ^ Bosley, Rachael (February 2, 2026). "Jarin Blaschke Welcomed as New ASC Member". The American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  18. ^ Thorn, Lana; Secilmis, Alex (February 21, 2026). "[Exclusive] 'Werwulf' DP Jarin Blaschke on Robert Eggers' New Film". PHANTASMAG. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  19. ^ "Esquire First Look: Robert Eggers Reveals Aaron Taylor-Johnson in 'Werwulf'". Esquire. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  20. ^ DeAngelo, Mike (September 26, 2025). "'The Man In My Basement': Nadia Latif & Willem Dafoe On Their Visceral, Poignant Thriller, Robert Eggers' 'Werewulf' & More [The Discourse Podcast]". The Playlist. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  21. ^ Stephenson, Alison (October 3, 2025). "Hollywood A-listers to film blockbuster in Devon". Devon Live. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  22. ^ Townsend, Jamie (November 8, 2025). "Hollywood film spotted filming on Dartmoor near Sharp Tor". The Moorlander. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  23. ^ "Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Shredded Torso Covered With Fake Blood for 'Werwulf'". TMZ. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  24. ^ "Something big is being filmed in the Forest of Dean – BBC Gloucestershire". Facebook. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  25. ^ Chu, Jennifer (January 25, 2026). "Robert Eggers' Werwulf Has Officially Wrapped Filming According To Star". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  26. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan; Welk, Brian (April 16, 2026). "'Werwulf' Tease: Robert Eggers' 13th-Century Horror Movie Haunts CinemaCon with First Footage". IndieWire. Retrieved April 19, 2026.