I’m told that Ralph Ineson has joined the cast of Robert Eggers’ next feature, the gothic horror epic “Werwulf,” which is currently shooting in the UK. The film already stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe — a trio that further solidifies Eggers’ growing reunion with his “Nosferatu” actors.
Eggers is once again diving into the shadowy corners of European folklore. The film is said to take place in 13th-century England and, in typical Eggers fashion, will reportedly feature period-authentic dialogue and, I’m guessing, an obsessive level of historical detail.
Ineson’s addition feels fitting. The Yorkshire-born actor’s deep, gravelly voice and commanding presence have already served Eggers well — first in 2015’s “The Witch” and later in “The Northman.” The upcoming “Werwulf” will mark their fourth collaboration together.
Ineson has described Eggers’ sets as “intense but joyous,” emphasizing the filmmaker’s relentless pursuit of historical and emotional truth.
Everybody has such a passion and craft to bring Robert’s historical accuracy and authenticity onto the screen. It’s exhausting in the best way.
“Werwulf” has been described by Eggers himself as “the darkest thing I’ve ever written.” No plot details have been released at this time, but based on the title alone, the film will obviously center on a person changed — or who can change — into a wolf. THR notes that Eggers initially planned to shoot the feature in black and white but ultimately decided to scrap that idea.
“Werwulf,” currently slated for a Christmas 2026 release, features a screenplay by Eggers and Sjón, with whom he co-wrote “The Northman.”
Eggers is riding high on the success of “Nosferatu,” a critical and commercial triumph that grossed $181M worldwide. The film’s performance has cemented his status as Hollywood’s go-to filmmaker for Christmas counterprogramming. Fittingly, he already has a ‘Christmas Carol’ adaptation in development, with frequent collaborator Willem Dafoe eyed to star.