Werner Herzog’s Stunning Animation Debut: ‘The Twilight World’ Revealed!

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As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that none other than the esteemed German auteur, Werner Herzog, known for masterpieces like “Grizzly Man” and “The Wrath of God,” is stepping into uncharted territory with his first animation project. The film, titled “The Twilight World,” is an adaptation of his bestselling novel by the same name.

In ‘The Twilight World’, the director recounts the real-life tale of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese intelligence officer who stubbornly held onto the belief that World War II was still ongoing, and spent three decades waging a solitary, imaginary war in the Philippine jungles.

The screenplay for the book’s adaptation, skillfully blending historical events, war themes, and dream sequences, was penned by Werner Herzog along with Michael Arias (known for “Tekkonkinkreet” and “The Animatrix”) and Luca Vitale.

Sun Creature Studio, known for producing the BAFTA and Oscar-nominated movie “Flee,” has been selected to develop “The Twilight World” from their studio located in France. They will be collaborating with French animation specialists for this project. Meanwhile, Psyop, a highly respected animation studio based in Germany and the United States, is also involved as a co-producer for the film.

Sun Creature Studio, famous for its Oscar-nominated movie “Flee,” has been chosen to make “The Twilight World” from their French studio. They will be working with French animators on this project. Additionally, Psyop, a well-known animation studio based in Germany and the U.S., is also helping produce the film.

Herzog believes that Hiroo Onoda’s story, lasting nearly three decades in the jungle, is more fitting for literature than movies. So, he decided to narrate it as a novel instead,” said Herzog.

It wasn’t until the team at Psyop proposed transforming Onoda’s tale into an animated movie that Herzog recognized the unique ability of animation to narrate this story in a captivating and inventive manner.

Working alongside Werner, as Andrew Linsk does with Amanda Miller at Psyop, is like attending a top-notch course on subtle storytelling.

The unique nature of this tale, which portrays the flow of time in a surreal and artistic manner through its characters’ perspectives, makes it an ideal choice for animated adaptations. Linsk, referring to the script as ‘unusual’, believes this.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to mention that Psyop has had a deep bond with Sun Creature Studios for quite some time now. Interestingly enough, they were jointly responsible for creating “The Twilight World.” The unique vibe of this studio, combined with their extensive pool of French animation talent, makes them an ideal match for our current project. In fact, Charlotte De La Gournerie, one of Sun Creature’s co-founders, is serving as the executive producer on this very production.

At the moment, work is being carried out for “The Twilight World”, and it’s planned to start filming in early 2026. Werner Herzog has just finished his latest live-action movie, titled “Bucking Fastard”, featuring actresses Kate Mara and her sister Rooney Mara.

(Note: The term “competed” is replaced with “has just finished” for a more natural and conversational style.)

At the forthcoming Cartoon Movie, a specialized animation co-production event held in Bordeaux, France, we’ll be presenting “The Twilight World.

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2025-03-21 11:16