Oscar-nominated actor
Michael Shannon (
"Man of Steel",
"Nuremberg",
"Nocturnal Animals") is set to star in the upcoming horror film
"Doctor Caligari's Cabinet of Wonders" directed by
John Erick Dowdle (
"No Escape",
"As Above So Below",
"Quarantine",
"Devil") from his own screenplay, alongside his brother and producing partner
Drew Dowdle. Shannon previously worked with the Dowdle Brothers on their Emmy-Nominated mini-series
"Waco". Filming is expected to begin June 2026.
"Doctor Caligari's Cabinet of Wonders" is a contemporary take on the iconic classic,
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", widely considered to be the first true horror movie. It’s a terrifying and mind-bending psychological horror starring Shannon as the titular villain, Doctor Caligari, a traveling mesmerist who journeys from town to town with a sleepwalker under his control, leaving a trail of grisly murders in their wake. When a young woman's boyfriend disappears mysteriously, she believes that the enigmatic Doctor Caligari is somehow responsible. The problem is—nobody believes her.
Anton is fully financing the film as well as handling worldwide rights at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. CAA Media Finance will co-rep North American rights with Anton.
Sébastien Raybaud (
"Victorian Psycho",
"Greenland 2",
"The Night House") and
Brandt Wrightsman (
"Greenland 2") will produce for Anton, alongside
Drew Dowdle for Brothers Dowdle Productions, and
Stuart Manashil (
"His House",
"Pieces of a Woman",
"Malcom & Marie").
Writer/Director
John Erick Dowdle said in a statement:
"Having worked with Michael Shannon on multiple projects, my brother and I have seen firsthand the unnerving intensity he can bring to even the simplest moments. The idea of seeing him play the horrifying Doctor Caligari became an obsession for us. The trust and creative shorthand we've built together will allow us to push deeper and bolder as we reimagine this iconic German Expressionist classic for a modern audience. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this nightmare to life with him."
Shannon also stars in the upcoming Southern Gothic horror film
"King Snake" written and directed by
Jeff Nichols (
"Take Shelter",
"Mud"), and the thriller
"Vegas: A Love Story" from
Ramin Bahrani (
"99 Homes",
"The White Tiger").
