Kumail Nanjiani Directs Comedy Howl for Orion Pictures

Actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani is set to make his feature directorial debut with the horror comedy "Howl," a project that has been acquired by Amazon MGM Studios' Orion Pictures. The film, which is currently in development, will also star Nanjiani and is based on a screenplay by Madison Vanderberg that was featured on the 2024 Black List of Hollywood's most-liked unproduced scripts.

The plot centers on a famous but notoriously troubled actor who announces during a talk show appearance that he will transform into a werewolf on live television in less than an hour. The project will be produced by Weed Road Pictures' Akiva Goldsman, Greg Lessans, and Rachel Wizenberg, alongside Nanjiani, his wife Emily V. Gordon, and Dani Melia through their Winter Coat Films banner. Wizenberg brought the project to Weed Road and will oversee it for the company.

Nanjiani first discussed his intention to direct the film publicly late last year, explaining that while directing had been a vague ambition, it was Vanderberg's specific script that convinced him he was the right person for the job. He noted that he and Gordon are avid fans of genre films, watching every horror and sci-fi movie, but...