Willem Dafoe in Talks to Reunite With Robert Eggers for WERWULF
Robert Eggers is assembling a killer lineup for his next film, Werwulf, and it looks like Willem Dafoe will be part of it. The Oscar-nominated actor is in talks to star opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson, with Lily-Rose Depp also circling a role. Eggers will direct and co-write the script with his The Northman collaborator, Sjón.
Werwulf is set for a Christmas Day 2026 release in North America through Focus Features, which is also producing and financing the project. Eggers and Sjón will produce alongside Focus, with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, and Chris and Eleanor Columbus executive producing for Maiden Voyage.
As for Werwulf, the term originates from Old English and Germanic folklore, referring to a human who can transform into a wolf or a wolf-like creature.
Sources say the story is set in 13th century England. The script also features dialogue that was true to the time period and has translations and annotations for those uninitiated in Old English.
This would mark the fourth collaboration between Eggers and Dafoe, who previously starred in The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu. The two are also eyeing another project together, a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol at Warner Bros., with Eggers directing and Dafoe in early talks to star.
Dafoe continues to stay busy as he recently appeared in A24’s The Legend of Ochi and is currently filming the Apple Original Films project Tenzing. Up next, he’ll appear in The Man in the Basement and The Birthday Party.
Werwulf is shaping up to be another haunting, visually stunning entry in the filmmaker’s growing body of mythic tales. Mark your calendars for December 25, 2026.
Source: Deadline