These exclusive EW shots of Rick Baker‘s Wolfman makeup, worn by Benicio del Toro in the forthcoming Joe Johnston-directed feature, are evidence of a clearly meh sensibility.
Benny’s beast is a boilerplate blend of Lon Chaney‘s Wolfman (’41) and David Naughton‘s growlin’ wolf in John Landis‘ An American Werewolf in London (’81), which Baker also designed. The appearance is right down the middle, completely safe and has no particular personality whatsover.
Jack Nicholson‘s Wolf-man in Mike Nichols‘ 1994 film was more particular, more Jack-like. Covering Benicio in makeup this familiar-looking means he won’t be able to act during his wolf episodes. All he’ll be doing is run around and howl and so on. Blah.
