The Elephant Man

remake gets a new update, revealing that the star of A Different Man (2024) will lead the film. Premiering in 1977 and written by Bernard Pomerance, The Elephant Man play is based on the life of Joseph Merrick (though he is named John Merrick in the production), a disfigured man who lived in London during the Victorian Era, and his interactions with his physician, Dr. Frederick Treves. Director David Lynch famously released his own film based on the same figure in 1980, with John Hurt in the lead role of Merrick, with Anthony Hopkins also starring.

Per Variety, A Different Man star Adam Pearson is now set to play Joseph Merrick in a new movie remake of The Elephant Man. The movie will feature a script by Moby Pomerance, Bernard’s son, with no director seemingly attached just yet. Filming on the adaptation is set to get underway in spring 2026. Pearson shared the following statement about his casting:

“Joseph Merrick is a man I have a long and complex relationship with. From having his name used as a term of derision to learning about the man himself in documentaries I’ve presented. It’s been a cathartic journey of growing to love and respect a man who I as a child I avoided even thinking about. Now as a disability advocate and actor, I can think of no greater honour (yet heavy responsibility) than to tell the true story of Joseph Carey Merrick.”

Eve Pomerance also shared a statement about Pearson’s casting:

“My father never wanted prosthetics to be used on stage as he felt it took the audience out of the story. He wanted them to empathise fully with Merrick, to see themselves in him. Lines like, ‘I am not an animal, I am a man’ which have become synonymous with the play, will take on greater meaning with Adam telling this story and enable the audience to finally stand in Merrick’s shoes. My father would be beyond excited to see his dream becoming a reality.”

What This Means For The Elephant Man Remake

Pearson Was Celebrated For A Different Man

Though he appeared in 2013’s Under the Skin, Pearson will be best known to many for starring in A24’s A Different Man. The dark comedy, which also stars Sebastian Stan and was directed by Aaron Schimberg, hit theaters in 2024, earning a positive response from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie enjoys a glowing 93% critics’ score, with the audience-driven Popcornmeter score not far behind at 89%. A Different Man earned Pearson a number of acting award nominations, including from the Gotham Awards, the Los Angeles Film Critics ᴀssociation, and the Independent Spirit Awards, among others.

With his new role in the remake of The Elephant Man, Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis, will become the first disabled actor to take on the role of Merrick on-screen. A number of big names have previously played the character on stage, including David Schofield, who originated the role, followed by the likes of Bradley Cooper, Mark Hamill, Billy Crudup, David Bowie, and Philip Anglum. If filming gets underway next spring as scheduled, audiences could see Pearson’s new take on The Elephant Man hit screens in 2027.

Our Take On The Elephant Man Remake

Lynch’s Film Set A High Bar

Though Lynch’s The Elephant Man is legally distinct from the London play, both deal with the same characters and subject matter. From the sound of things, the upcoming remake will specifically be using the play as inspiration. Still, more audiences will have seen Lynch’s movie than the play, and it leaves some big shoes for the new movie to fill, as one of Lynch’s most celebrated and beloved works.

Matching the critical success of Lynch’s The Elephant Man will be a tall order, but Pearson certainly seems up for the task of playing Merrick. A Different Man very much served as an announcement for the actor, and it will be interesting to see him take center stage in a production this time around. A lot of how well the film is executed will come down the director that is chosen, but this new version of The Elephant Man looks to be on sure footing already.

Source: Variety