Mesmerizing American Werewolf In London Cosplay Showcases Epic Metamorphosis

Article Overview

An American Werewolf in London's legendary werewolf effects by Rick Baker have made it a horror classic and continue to inspire creative people today.

Baker's exceptional practical effects in the film are widely regarded as the pinnacle of his career, influencing the course of the horror genre's history.

In addition to his remarkable contributions to the werewolf genre, Baker's extraordinary skills were highly sought after for renowned productions and iconic films.

Stunning cosplay pays homage to the legendary werewolf transformation effects of the horror classic, An American Werewolf in London. In 1981, John Landis sparked a revival of the genre with this London-based horror-comedy, starring David Naughton as a man bitten by a wolf who transforms into a beast during the full moon. The film, known for its witty script, also showcased groundbreaking pre-CGI transformation effects by the iconic Rick Baker.

Baker's effects are the main reason why the original An American Werewolf in London is now considered a horror classic. These effects continue to inspire creative individuals, as seen in some clever cosplay shared on TikTok. Watch the videos below (via Woah Gilly):

Rick Baker Helped Shape Horror History

The initial video captures the comical approach employed by the cosplayer to portray the transformation into a werewolf. Following that, the subsequent clip showcases another cosplayer portraying Griffin Dunne's character from the movie. This character meets his demise at the hands of the wolf and subsequently reappears as a haunting apparition with a disfigured face to torment Naughton's werewolf.

With its remarkable practical effects, An American Werewolf in London stands as the pinnacle of Baker's esteemed tenure as a makeup effects artist. Yet, it is important to acknowledge that Baker's invaluable contributions extend beyond this iconic film, as he played a profound role in shaping the horror genre's enduring legacy, alongside directors, writers, and stars.

Baker started his career as an assistant on well-known films like The Exorcist and It's Alive before collaborating with Landis on a werewolf movie. His exceptional makeup effects in werewolf transformations propelled him to the top of the field. Baker's talent was further showcased in various projects, including The Howling, Videodrome, the iconic "Thriller" music video for Michael Jackson, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, and the J-horror remake The Ring.

Baker's expertise in horror makeup was highly regarded, leading him to be sought after for prestigious non-genre productions such as Gorillas in the Mist and Ed Wood. Despite expanding his repertoire, werewolves remained a specialty for Baker, evident in his work on Wolf and The Wolfman. Baker's groundbreaking work on An American Werewolf in London has left a lasting impact on the horror genre and inspired countless cosplay enthusiasts. Had it not been for Baker's contributions, the history of horror would have been significantly altered.

Source: Woah Gilly/TikTok

Editor's P/S

As a fan of horror movies, I'm always excited to see new and creative takes on classic films. This cosplay of the werewolf transformation scene from An American Werewolf in London is truly impressive. The cosplayer does an amazing job of capturing the gradual transformation from human to wolf, and the end result is truly terrifying.

I'm also a big fan of Rick Baker's work. His practical effects in An American Werewolf in London are still considered some of the best in the business, and they continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers and artists. This cosplay is a testament to the lasting impact of Baker's work, and I'm sure he would be proud to see it.