How Did They Design the Terrifying New Wolf Man? Everything to Know

by

This weekend, you can catch “Wolf Man,” director Leigh Whannell’s fresh take on the timeless Universal Monster character, starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner (purchase tickets here). Similar to his 2020 adaptation of “The Invisible Man,” Whannell is set to redefine a staple of classic horror cinema.

One intriguing aspect that has sparked much conversation regarding the movie “Wolf Man” is the unique take on its iconic title character. This design incorporates elements from classic film werewolves, while simultaneously offering a fresh and innovative twist. Here’s an overview of the innovative design for “Wolf Man“.

For More on Wolf Man

What Is Wolf Man Rated? Parents Guide ExplainedThe Cast and Characters of Wolf Man, ExplainedDoes Wolf Man Use Practical Effects? Behind the Scenes of Leigh Whannell’s Gory New Film (WATCH)

The classic Wolf Man look goes back over 80 years

In 1941, the film “The Wolf Man,” headlined by Lon Chaney Jr., marked a significant milestone in cinematic makeup artistry. The mastermind behind this transformation was Jack Pierce, the same genius who created Boris Karloff’s unforgettable appearance in Frankenstein. Every day, for more than five hours, Pierce painstakingly transformed Chaney into a werewolf, using fur, fangs, and a snout reminiscent of a wolf’s nose. Two years after the initial release, Chaney once again slipped into the role for “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.

In the years following, numerous werewolf films graced our screens, but it wasn’t until 2010 that Universal resurrected its initial “Wolf Man” series, with Joe Johnston as director and Benicio del Toro in the leading role for “The Wolfman”. Known for his work on another renowned werewolf movie, “An American Werewolf in London”, Rick Baker was responsible for the makeup designs in this production. His objective was to replicate the appearance of the original design from the classic film by Pierce. With modern special effects at his disposal, it took just three hours each day to apply the makeup to del Toro. For their work on the movie, Baker and makeup effects supervisor Dave Elsey were awarded the 2011 Academy Award for Best Makeup.

Reinventing the Wolf Man for modern audiences

about:blank

As a gaming enthusiast in 2025, I’m eagerly anticipating the reinvention of the classic horror icon, Wolf Man. Instead of merely replicating the looks of Lon Chaney Jr. and Benicio del Toro from past Wolf Man movies, the creators, Whannell and Arjen Tuiten, have chosen to explore the concept of body horror. In a recent behind-the-scenes interview, Whannell shared his inspiration came from films such as The Thing and The Fly, where grotesque transformations were central. Tuiten added that the challenge lies in depicting characters undergoing painful transformations between two anatomies that don’t seamlessly blend, much like oil and water.

The video clip showcases a portion of the metamorphosis scene from “Wolf Man,” and it appears quite unsettling. In the footage, Abbott’s character Blake is seen twisting in agony as his body undergoes a hairy transformation, with fingernails elongating into sharp claws that detach from his fingers. His teeth elongate into fang-like structures, and the contours of his face alter significantly, taking on a less human and more wolfish appearance.

Despite being fearsome, the character you’re referring to, “Wolf Man,” deviates from typical werewolf portrayals. He possesses a hairy appearance, but not an entire fur coat like traditional depictions. Moreover, he is less human-like compared to earlier versions of the Wolf Man, yet his characteristics aren’t strictly canine either.

How Leigh Whannell designed the new Wolf Man

about:blank

In an interview with io9, Whannell shared his motivations behind creating a fresh take on such a renowned character. Whannell revealed that he and Tuiten drew inspiration from Heath Ledger’s unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

James Whannell stated that the character is renowned. He mentioned Chris Nolan’s involvement in the film. With the Joker, there are numerous directions one could take, as we’ve witnessed. Whannell explained his approach was to offer a fresh take on the character. This strategy proved successful. When considering how to approach this role, he felt it would be futile to compete with Rick Baker’s work in ‘American Werewolf in London’. Instead, he chose a disease-oriented approach, similar to ‘The Fly’.

Instead of the magical, fantastical portrayals of lycanthropy from earlier movies, this fresh take on The Wolf Man depicts werewolf transformations as a contagious disease. In this version, Blake isn’t turning into an actual wolf, but is instead afflicted with something that’s gradually altering his body in a wolf-like manner.

Following its soft debut at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024, some social media users were taken aback by how different the new character design appeared compared to conventional werewolf depictions. Nevertheless, Whannell clarified during an interview with Screen Rant that the theme park iteration of the character didn’t perfectly embody the Wolf Man as portrayed in the film.

Whannell explained, “It’s crucial we activate this plan since spectators might misconstrue our actions. Comparing the final product to a costume in Spirit Halloween would be unfair. Makeup is merely one aspect. Lighting, camera angles, and placement of the actor are all essential elements. If Jeff Goldblum were to appear here wearing The Fly makeup under fluorescent lights, it wouldn’t look impressive. It’s about how we capture it on camera.

Moviegoers have a chance to witness the revamped, chilling Wolf Man in full splendor and terror as the film premieres on the big screen on January 17! Why wait? Grab your tickets today, conveniently located here!

When will Wolf Man stream on Peacock?

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

Read More

2025-01-16 23:31