The classic social deduction gameWerewolfis getting a twisted film adaptation courtesy of emerging directorsJackie PayneandCara Claymoreand Collider can exclusively unveil the first teaser trailer. TitledWerewolf Game, the film follows 12 complete strangers who’ve been kidnapped by a social media company to play the titular game. This variation has deadlier consequences than the party game byDimitry Davidoff, however, as the demented Judge played byTony Toddforces them to play to their deaths. Marrying the classic whodunit with modern with the dread of social media and the aesthetic of modern video games and manga, the project looks to offer a unique spin ona death game film.
Todd takes center stage in the teaser which kicks off shots of victims struggling against their bindings to try and escape what awaits them. The classic game ofWerewolf, also often calledMafia, sees a small group of players tasked with “killing” enough villagers in order to reach parity with them while the villages attempt to vote out and “execute” who they believe is responsible. With how much panic there is on the victim’s faces, and how many body bags the company’s goons haul away, it’s clear that themurders are no gameand neither are the executions. Todd welcomes his guests withhis satisfying yet sinister voice, telling them they’ve been selected to participate much to their horror. The trailer ends withRobert Picardobluntly telling everyone, “Welcome to club dead” before a final axe swing closes out the teaser on a violent note.
Werewolf Gamereunites Todd with Different Duck Productions founderRob Margolieswho also produced 2020’sImmortalwhich Todd starred in. This latest film emerged from Margolies’s First Frame International Film Festival where the screenplay earned the top prize along with a production deal. GivenTodd’s horror bona fides, he made the perfect choice to play the villain in thegenre-bending thriller.
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Who Else Joins Todd inWerewolf Game?
Aside from the legendary Todd,Werewolf Gamealso starsLydia Hearst,Bai Ling,Teala Dunn, and Picardo. In addition to directing, Payne writes while Claymore gets in on the action herself by joining the cast. She even gets her own little moment in the teaser, charging at the camera with an axe in hand. The directors hope to appeal to a broader audience with a PG-13 rating while still bringing anime intensity toa whodunit formulasteeped in thrills that evokethe best of retro horror.
Werewolf Gameis deep into post-production with an eye toward releasing later on in 2023. AKickstarter for the projectis available in order to help cover the final costs of the film and connect potential fans with the filmmakers. Check out the exclusive teaser below:
