The First Makeup Test for Wolf Man Scared Everyone – Even the Crew

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Each director taking on a fresh take of a Universal Monster tale is essentially pondering: “What can I do to breathe new life and originality into the classic monster’s narrative once more?

Leigh Whannell found himself in a challenging dilemma when he was given the chance to create a fresh, independent “Wolf Man” film for Universal Pictures, particularly following his achievements in reinterpreting another classic Universal Monster movie, “The Invisible Man” (2020).

In a recent conversation at a Los Angeles screening of his “Wolf Man,” Whannell expressed that there have been numerous interpretations of the Wolf Man and werewolves in general. He added, “I wasn’t sure if the movie was worth making unless I could offer a unique perspective or a fresh take on the story.” You can catch his “Wolf Man” in theaters now (get your tickets here!).

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In relation to the 2010 movie “The Wolfman,” directed by Joe Johnston (which is now available on Peacock), Whannell stated, “It had been recently done with Benicio del Toro. This gave me a clear idea of what I didn’t want to do, and that was my starting point.

In Whannell’s perspective, the harrowing metamorphosis of a man into a wild beast is a profoundly personal journey marked by grief, as the story unfolds around a city-dwelling family who seek solace in rural Oregon during the summer, aiming to strengthen their bonds without urban distractions. Upon their arrival at their ancestral farm, father Blake (Christopher Abbott), his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner), and daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) encounter an unsettling creature that drastically alters their peaceful existence.

Leigh Whannell on Wolf Man‘s first terrifying makeup test

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but appreciate the crucial role of the transformation scene in any werewolf movie. When it comes to “The Wolfman Chronicles,” director Whannell was well aware that his intimate narrative would require a meticulous special effects process for Abbott. This process sees Abbott gradually morphing into a werewolf, triggered by an unexpected bite from a forest creature.

Whannell explained that he aimed to portray [lycanthropy] as realistically as possible, treating it like a medical condition rather than delving too deeply into the supernatural or occult. He drew inspiration from David Cronenberg’s film, “The Fly”, and wanted to focus on experiencing the transformation from the perspective of the person undergoing it, using sound design and visual effects to enhance the experience.

In the chilling tale of “Wolf Man,” I found myself captivated by none other than Abbott, who brilliantly embodied the transformation on-screen. Interestingly enough, it was revealed that Abbott’s name cropped up in our discussions about casting quite early on, as shared by Whannell himself.

He explained that when he writes, he primarily focuses on the story itself and visualizes certain faces, but doesn’t specifically write with a particular actor in mind. Later, during production, suggestions for actors are thrown around. Christopher Abbott was one of the early names mentioned, and he admired the actor due to his lack of ego and dedication to artistry. You can see this in his work, which is why Abbott remained a strong contender throughout the process.

It wasn’t until the pre-production stage that the actor was first revealed in full makeup transformation, skillfully designed by creature effects specialist Arjen Tuiten, who ultimately cast him as Blake.

During our initial makeup trial, we were all assembled in this room with everyone standing casually around. Lights were set up everywhere… people were talking, some on their phones, and then he entered. A hush fell over the room as Chris walked confidently towards the camera without so much as a greeting. He stood there, fully made-up, leaving us all in awe. It was an electrifying moment!

Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man is in theaters now. Tickets are on sale right here!

When will Wolf Man stream on Peacock?

The new Wolf Man will stream on Peacock later this year. Check back for more updates!

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2025-01-17 22:31