Robert Eggers Is Taking On A “Romeo And Juliet” Adaptation, And It’s Going To Be Wild
by Benjamin Dzialdowski · BuzzFeedRobert Eggers has taken on some dark projects, created eerie, unsettling atmospheres, and adapted a classic; now he's taking on one of the most famous stories of all time, and one of the scariest subjects of all: teen romance.
Eggers, whose gothic folk horror Werwulf is coming out this winter, has a track record of creating oppressive and darkly intense movies, with folkloric focus and a prominent sense of dread. So, presumably we can expect something a bit grittier and nastier than Baz Luhrmann's adaptation.
Werwulf, The Lighthouse, The Witch
The Nosferatu director will likely be putting the 'Tragedy' in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, as the Shakespeare play is officially titled, after a bidding war for the rights was won by Focus Features, which beat out A24, Sony, and Warner Bros.
In true Robert Eggers fashion, he's reportedly set to have his actors speak in Old English. Considering the original play is set in 14th century Italy, we can assume that his adaptation will take place at least three centuries earlier and perhaps in a different location...
Naturally, fans are already excited about the prospect, and, of course, wondering who perennial Eggers cast member Willem Dafoe will play.
The question is not who Robert Eggers is gonna cast for his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, the question is WHAT ROLE COULD WILLEM DAFOE BE PLAYING?
— mari ☁️ (@m_stormwitch) September 22, 2026
mari ☁️ / Via x.com
https://x.com/m\_stormwitch/status/2102507184533692457
when i’m in the cinema and i hear willem dafoe speaking shakespearean english pic.twitter.com/xClo9IucLZ https://t.co/UQe4R5cNVI
— emma⟢🐈⬛ (@cosmicoraline) September 22, 2026
emma⟢🐈⬛ / Via x.com
do it robert eggers. cast dafoe and pattinson as romeo and juliet and you will be reincarnated as a lotus flower https://t.co/gBGUvBPxpI pic.twitter.com/3I9a8nzzmO
— aquila 🫀 (@belllmonts) September 22, 2026
aquila 🫀 / Via x.com
eggers is physically incapable of not making his works supernatural horrors so you already know william dafoe about to be a faerie in disguise in a coat and top hat tricking romeo into buying some poison in the back of an alley or sum going “khajit has wares if ye have coin…”
— himbo lover (@yandjoshi) September 23, 2026
himbo lover / Via x.com
Robert Eggers after seeing Hamnet https://t.co/no2MQfTGbx pic.twitter.com/Zr8wXcNWjz
— Crusader of Christ ⚔️ (@Defendthewest17) September 22, 2026
Crusader of Christ ⚔️ / Via x.com
Romeo and Juliet directed by robert eggers in Olde English pic.twitter.com/aPCPXSkpU7
— Annabel (@MYGHOSTR) September 22, 2026
Annabel / Via x.com
https://t.co/m6Q5c9tK5B pic.twitter.com/VGZcWTDpwf
— Meg (@megannn_lynne) September 22, 2026
Meg / Via x.com