Robert Eggers May Direct Scrooge Remake for Willem Dafoe

In a fascinating director-studio development, Robert Eggers, the visionary behind The Witch and Nosferatu, is reportedly in talks with Warner Bros. to direct a new retelling of A Christmas Carol. The filmmaker is said to be keen on casting his frequent collaborator Willem Dafoe for the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

A report from Variety clarifies that no agreements are in place yet—neither for Eggers nor Dafoe. However, the studio is considering Eggers for the position, and he has expressed his interest in bringing Dafoe on board as the lead. The movie is currently in early development, meaning audiences would have to wait some time before seeing the final product.

Before diving into any other commitments, Eggers is scheduled to write and direct Werwulf, a historical horror film in production at Focus Features. Consequently, a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol would likely follow Werwulf, potentially kicking off as Eggers wraps up his 13th-century horror project. Of course, production schedules can always shift, leaving the exact timeline uncertain.

Eggers has described Werwulf as his darkest script to date, prompting questions about how he would interpret a well-known holiday tale like A Christmas Carol. He could either lean into the grim style for which he is celebrated, or he might introduce a slightly lighter tone—though many suspect he would fully embrace the story’s inherent darkness. That possibility alone makes the prospect thrilling.

Werwulf was co-written by Sjón, Eggers' partner on The Northman and the forthcoming Labyrinth sequel, and is slated for a Christmas 2026 debut. While an official announcement for A Christmas Carol is still pending, a 2027 release is plausible—making the project feel closer than it seems.