Michael Shannon (Man of Steel, Nuremberg, Nocturnal Animals) is set to star in the terrifying new horror Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet of Wonders, as the enigmatic Doctor Caligari, it was announced today. The film will be 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. This film continues the collaboration between Shannon and the Dowdle Brothers, who co-created the Emmy-Nominated mini-series “Waco“, in which Shannon co-starred.
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). Principal photography will commence 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.
Writer/Director John Erick Dowdle commented, “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.”
Michael Shannon’s career features performances on stage, television and film during which time he has earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in Sam Mendes’ Revolutionary Road (opposite Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) and Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals (opposite Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal), and Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe nominations for his role in Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes.
Most recently Shannon appeared in James Vanderbilt’s critically acclaimed Nuremberg (opposite Russell Crowe and Rami Malik), and in Mike Makowksy’s miniseries “Death by Lightning” for Netflix. Audiences also know him from his role as General Zod in Warner Bros.’ DC Extended Universe films The Flash, Man of Steel. Other notable performances include Guillermo Del Toro’s Shape of Water, music icon Elvis Presley in Liza Johnson’s Elvis vs. Nixon (opposite Kevin Spacey as Nixon) and as Walt Thrombey in Rian Johnson’s written and directed mystery Knives Out.
Shannon is represented by CAA and Range Media Partners, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman.
