Robert Eggers has made it clear that he’s not interested in making contemporary films that deal with modern-day inventions or technology. In a conversation with Rotten Tomatoes, Eggers expressed his disinterest in capturing modern objects like cars or cellphones on screen, describing the idea of photographing such things as “sick” and “death.” He pointed out that modern life, including the omnipresence of cellphones, just doesn’t appeal to his creative sensibilities. The director explained that capturing modern technology is not something he would want to include in his work, and he would rather focus on different time periods that better fit his imagination.
Eggers, known for his work on period pieces like The Witch, The Northman, and The Lighthouse, has a penchant for setting his films in historical eras, particularly those before the 20th century. He mentioned that if he were to work on something more modern, he might venture as far as the 1950s but admitted that he’s more drawn to settings prior to World War II, which are more inviting for his creative process.
The filmmaker is currently working on Werewulf, a project set in 13th-century England that he co-wrote with Sjón. In addition to Werewulf, Eggers is also set to direct and write the sequel to the 1986 film Labyrinth, a project that promises to continue his trend of mixing unique historical elements with fantastical storytelling.