The Wolfman (film)

The Wolfman
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoe Johnston
Screenplay by
Based onThe Wolf Man
by Curt Siodmak
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyShelly Johnson
Edited by
Music byDanny Elfman
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • January 27, 2010 (2010-01-27) (Arclight Hollywood)
  • February 12, 2010 (2010-02-12) (United States)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150 million
Box office$142.6 million

The Wolfman is a 2010 American gothic horror film directed by Joe Johnston, from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. A remake of the 1941 film of the same name, it stars Benicio del Toro (who also produced), Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. The film's story follows an actor who, after his brother's brutal murder, returns from the United States to his ancestral homeland in England, where he gets bitten by a werewolf and is cursed to become one.

Mark Romanek was originally attached to direct the film but left weeks before filming due to creative differences and budgetary issues. Johnston was hired four weeks before principal photography, under the impression he could shoot the film in 80 days as Universal intended. However, reshoots extended production, inflated the budget, and delayed the film's release several times. The film underwent numerous alternative versions during post-production. Danny Elfman was briefly replaced by Paul Haslinger as the film's composer; however, the studio reverted to Elfman's previously completed score a month before the film's release after finding Haslinger's electronic-based score unsuitable.

The Wolfman was theatrically released on February 12, 2010, by Universal Pictures to mixed reviews, although the makeup received praise. The film was a financial failure, grossing $142.6 million against a production budget of $150 million. For their work on the film, Rick Baker and makeup effects supervisor Dave Elsey won the Academy Award for Best Makeup at the 83rd Academy Awards.