Hollywood’s gothic dream team may be reuniting once again. Following their eerie collaboration in Nosferatu, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is officially set to star in Robert Eggers’ next horror epic, Werwulf, while Lily Rose-Depp is reportedly in early talks to join the project.
A Dark Medieval Tale Awaits
Deadline confirms that Taylor-Johnson, 35, has signed on for the leading role in Eggers’ chilling new film, Werwulf, which is slated for release on Christmas Day 2026. While plot details are still largely under wraps, sources hint that the film will be a 13th-century werewolf horror set in medieval England — complete with period-authentic dialogue and atmosphere.
Eggers, known for his uncompromising historical authenticity and psychological horror, is once again teaming up with Icelandic writer Sjón, his collaborator on The Northman, to pen the script.
From Vampire to Werewolf?
The project marks a possible reunion between Eggers, Taylor-Johnson, and Rose-Depp, who all worked together on 2024’s Nosferatu, a critically acclaimed reimagining of the 1922 silent vampire classic. That film — a haunting blend of shadowy visuals and Gothic dread — starred Lily Rose-Depp as the doomed protagonist pursued by Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgård.
Now, if negotiations go through, Rose-Depp could find herself opposite a very different kind of monster.
Eggers Stays True to His Dark Vision
While Werwulf was initially rumored to be shot in black-and-white, Eggers has reportedly changed course on that idea, perhaps signaling a more visually rich — or brutal — approach. The film will still feature dialogue in Old English, staying true to the 13th-century setting. But don’t worry — translations and subtitles will guide audiences through the ancient language.
This level of historical detail is no surprise to fans of Eggers, whose films (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) are known for their dedication to period authenticity, stylized horror, and atmospheric tension.
A New Gothic Chapter
Following Nosferatu’s commercial and critical success — and Eggers’ growing reputation as the new master of cerebral horror — Werwulf promises to continue his streak of transforming folklore and fear into prestige cinema.
With Taylor-Johnson locked in, Rose-Depp circling, and Eggers at the helm, Werwulf may just be the next big genre-defining masterpiece — blending medieval mysticism, lupine legend, and the director’s signature psychological darkness.
Mark your calendars: Werwulf is coming December 25, 2026.
