Kumail Nanjiani to Make Directorial Debut With Orion Horror Comedy ‘Howl’

Kumail Nanjiani is preparing to direct his first film, the horror comedy "Howl," which is set to be produced by Amazon MGM's Orion Pictures. Nanjiani, who will also star in and produce the movie, will play a troubled actor who announces to a live audience that he is a werewolf and will transform in an hour. The screenplay for "Howl" was written by Madison Vanderberg, who was selected as one of the Black List writers for 2024.

Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, are producing the film through their company Winter Coat Films, along with Dani Melia. Other producers include Akiva Goldsman, Greg Lessans, and Rachel Wizenberg from Weed Road Pictures, with Wizenberg overseeing the project. Nanjiani recently received a Golden Globe nomination for his Hulu comedy special "Night Thoughts" and appeared on the 21st season of the British comedy series "Taskmaster."

He and Gordon are currently adapting the comic book series "Sex Criminals" for Amazon MGM, and Nanjiani will co-write and produce the comedy film "Compulsive Liar." Nanjiani also has roles in the upcoming fourth season of HBO's "The White Lotus," the FX series "Very Young Frankenstein," and Judd Apatow's comedy feature "The Comeback King."