Brian Duffield and Zach Cregger are taking Siren Head in a direction that might surprise horror fans. The filmmakers are teaming up on a feature adaptation of the viral horror creation, with Duffield set to direct and the pair collaborating on the screenplay. Now, Duffield has offered an update on the project, describing it as a modern form of American folklore and revealing that he’s excited about the unusual idea Cregger brought to him.
There is one potential complication, though. Duffield says that Warner Bros. is in a very different position than it was when the project was first set up a few months ago.
What did Brian Duffield say about Siren Head?
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Duffield explained that he and Cregger have struggled to find time to focus on Siren Head because of their recent filmmaking and promotional commitments. Both were busy in post-production on their respective projects (Whalefall and Resident Evil) before their schedules shifted to press tours.
When asked if Siren Head will be his next movie, Duffield replied,
“I don’t know. I’ve got to jump into Siren Head with Zach [Cregger]. We’ve both been giving birth to these weird babies over the last couple of months. We were both in post when Siren Head came our way, and then Zach very quickly had to go do his release run with Austin [Abrams]. Then he got back, and I left to go do my release run with Austin. Obviously, everything at Warner Bros. is very different than it was when we set it up there a few months ago.”
Despite those changes, brought about by the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger, Duffield expects the pair to return to the project after their schedules settle down.
“When I come back to life in a couple of months, I’m sure Zach and I will meet up and continue working on it. He had a really cool idea for it, and I was really honored that he invited me to the party.”
Siren Head will be a different kind of horror movie
The most intriguing part of Duffield’s comments is his description of the film’s creative direction.
“I’ve really been enjoying this idea of how it is a very modern American folklore kind of thing. So we’re taking it in a very interesting direction that I think will surprise people.”
Duffield also praised Trevor Henderson, the artist who created Siren Head and developed the character’s mythology. The filmmaker has been getting to know Henderson and discussing the ideas he and Cregger are developing.
“Every time I talk to him, he’s really excited about our ideas, and he feeds the ideas too. I’m not interested in making something that the creator is not tickled pink by, but so far, Trevor has been an awesome ally and a really cool guy.”
What is Siren Head?
If you haven’t encountered Siren Head online, the character was created by Canadian horror artist and illustrator Trevor Henderson in 2018. The towering, skeletal humanoid stands roughly 40 feet tall and has a pair of sirens in place of a conventional head. It can emit distorted broadcasts and other sounds, using audio to confuse and lure its prey.
Henderson’s artwork depicts the creature appearing in ordinary environments, often blending into photographs of rural roads, forests, and deserted areas.
Siren Head has become a fixture of online horror, inspiring fan art, videos, games, and countless stories. YouTube creator Markiplier helped introduce the character to a wider audience through his coverage of the phenomenon.
Warner Bros. secured the rights to the property after a bidding war involving multiple studios. The film brings together two filmmakers who have already demonstrated an interest in unusual horror concepts: Duffield, whose directing credits include No One Will Save You and Spontaneous, and Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons.
Cregger and Duffield are writing the screenplay together, with Duffield attached to direct. The project also has Henderson involved as an executive producer.
When will Siren Head arrive?
There is currently no confirmed release date for Siren Head, and Duffield’s comments suggest that the filmmakers still have a lot of work to do before the project moves forward.
For now, Duffield sounds enthusiastic about Cregger’s idea and that Henderson has responded positively to their discussions. Siren Head may have started as a frightening figure lurking in the background of a photograph, but Duffield and Cregger seem to have big ambitions for the character. Hopefully, the next update brings a clearer picture of what those ambitions will look like on screen.
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