Christopher Abbott, the actor known for his role in the new reboot of Wolf Man, recently shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story about his experience on set. The film, which also stars Julia Garner and newcomer Matilda Firth, has Abbott playing the iconic title character, a werewolf. While the movie is filled with thrilling scenes and monstrous transformations, one particular moment stood out for Abbott: chewing on his own prosthetic limbs.
In the film, Abbott’s character, Blake, undergoes a terrifying transformation into a werewolf. This required him to wear extensive makeup and prosthetics, including fake limbs that he had to “chew on” in some of the more intense scenes. In a recent interview, Abbott shared some fun and surprising details about this unusual part of the role.
“There’s a lot of sugar in that blood stuff,” Abbott explained. “There’s one scene where I’m gnawing on my leg. It was gross, but it was kinda delicious.” The prosthetic blood used in the scene was specially designed for the film, and Abbott revealed that it had a sweet taste. “The blood is sugar,” he said, laughing. “And I swear to God, I think the bone part was, like, white chocolate or something like that. Something with white chocolate on it.”
While Abbott admitted that the situation wasn’t exactly something he would want to repeat, he didn’t find it as bad as one might expect. “I mean, it’s not like I want it, but it wasn’t horrible,” he added with a smile. The combination of prosthetics and sugary materials helped make the experience a little more bearable, though it still left an unusual taste in his mouth.
Abbott’s experience chewing on fake limbs is just one of the many strange moments that came with transforming into the terrifying werewolf for Wolf Man. However, it wasn’t just the prosthetics that Abbott had to get used to. The actor also spent many hours in the makeup chair, where he was completely transformed into the creature, which made for some amusing first impressions.
When Abbott first saw himself in the full werewolf makeup, he couldn’t help but laugh. “I laughed immediately,” he recalled. “It’s scary and all that stuff, but it’s so ridiculous.” The makeup team did an incredible job, but Abbott felt the transformation was so over-the-top that it became hard not to find it a bit funny.
Preparing for the role involved a lot of research, especially since Abbott had to learn how to embody a creature that is both human and animalistic. This is something he had never done before in his acting career. “Research-wise, it’s the first time I’ve had to research more National Geographic–type stuff than other movies,” Abbott said in an interview with ComicBook.com.
The transformation from human to werewolf is gradual throughout the film, and Abbott had to study the differences in behavior between humans and animals. “There’s different levels as the process is happening. There’s maybe 80 percent human, 20 percent animal, and then that shifts,” he explained. As his character Blake transforms, Abbott had to balance these two sides of his character’s personality—one that is human and another that is completely animalistic. “So to track how a human would react to something as opposed to an animal; a human reacts one way, if it feels ill or if it’s scared, as opposed to how does an animal act,” Abbott said. “How, if it feels ill, all its little levels.”
This research into animal behavior was necessary because of the unique nature of his role. While playing a human, Abbott’s character was already dealing with stress and turmoil, including a troubled marriage with his wife Charlotte, played by Julia Garner. However, as Blake begins to transform into something unrecognizable, he is forced to confront the full extent of his monstrous new form. This transformation, which takes place during a terrifying night, is at the heart of the movie’s suspense.
Wolf Man takes place in a remote farmhouse in Oregon, where Blake inherits the property after his father mysteriously disappears. He and his wife Charlotte, along with their young daughter Ginger (played by Matilda Firth), decide to take a break from their hectic lives in San Francisco and visit the property. But their quiet getaway soon turns into a nightmare when they are attacked by a mysterious animal. As the night unfolds, Blake’s transformation becomes more intense, and he begins to act in ways that are increasingly unrecognizable, both to his family and to himself.
The film, directed by Leigh Whannell (known for his work on The Invisible Man), explores themes of fear, isolation, and the loss of control. Abbott’s portrayal of Blake is both gripping and deeply emotional, as he struggles with the horrifying changes happening to him. The actor’s transformation into the werewolf is not just physical but psychological, as he delves into the primal side of human nature. The audience is left wondering how much of Blake remains human and how much has been overtaken by the beast within.
Despite the challenges of playing such a complex character, Abbott was quick to praise the entire cast and crew for their hard work and dedication. He mentioned how much he enjoyed working with his co-stars, especially Julia Garner and Matilda Firth. The team’s chemistry helped bring the film to life, even through the most difficult and intense moments.