Kumail Nanjiani is adding a major new title to his résumé. The actor, comedian, writer, and producer, best known for The Big Sick, Eternals, and the upcoming second season of Fallout, has revealed that he will make his feature directorial debut with a horror film titled Howl.
Speaking on the Comedy Means Business podcast, Nanjiani explained that while directing had always been an abstract ambition, it wasn’t until he read the script for Howl that everything clicked. The project originally came to him as an acting opportunity, but the material resonated so strongly that he felt compelled to take on the director’s chair as well.
“Directing was this vague thing I wanted to do,” Nanjiani said, “but when I read this script, I thought, ‘I don’t know if I know how to direct in general, but I know how to direct this movie.’ I could see it clearly in my head—the tone, the rhythm, the feel of it.”
That clarity, he noted, made the decision feel natural rather than forced. Although he wasn’t actively seeking a horror project, Howl stood out because of its distinct voice and atmosphere. Nanjiani emphasized that tone was the key factor that convinced him he was ready to direct.
Horror is also a genre close to his heart. Nanjiani and his wife and longtime creative partner, Emily V. Gordon, are devoted genre fans. “We watch every sci-fi movie. We watch every horror movie,” he said, adding that genre storytelling is something they deeply understand and appreciate.
Nanjiani is well aware that his move mirrors a recent trend of comedians successfully transitioning into horror filmmaking. He cited Jordan Peele, Josh Ruben, and Zach Cregger as examples of performers who leveraged their comedic instincts to create acclaimed genre films. According to Nanjiani, their success has helped pave the way and normalize the pivot.
Plot details for Howl remain tightly under wraps, but the film is expected to enter production next year. The project will be produced by Winter Coat Films, the production company that Nanjiani launched last year with Gordon and producer Dani Melia.
Before stepping behind the camera, audiences can next see Nanjiani on screen in Fallout Season 2, which premieres tomorrow on Prime Video.
