Banijay prepares to unleash Werewolves on the world with StudioCanal, Dreamspark

Canal+ strategy and deception game Werewolves

MIPCOM: France’s StudioCanal and Dreamspark have teamed up with European production group Banijay to expand the distribution of Canal+ original format Werewolves.

Banijay has signed a multi-territory deal for the strategic reality format, which is based on a cult board game, at Mipcom this week.

The deal brings the social experiment into Banijay Entertainment’s portfolio of formats, with the group now set to lead adaptations across its international production footprint (US, Australia and New Zealand, UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Nordics, the Netherlands, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and India).

Adapted from the board game Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux, created by Philippe des Pallières and Hervé Marly and published by Asmodee, Werewolves is a psychological thriller unfolding in real-time.

Set in a remote forest village, a group of strangers known as The Villagers compete to win a prize, while hidden amongst them are The Werewolves, a secret set plotting to eliminate players one by one and steal the prize.

The TV version was created and produced by Fary and Panayotis Pascot (Presque Prod) and Arnaud Chautard (JAAD Productions).

The format quickly became a breakout hit in France on Canal+ and a German adaptation for ARD Mediathek has since launched. StudioCanal and Dreamspark handle distribution of the format.

The production hub, a purpose-built forest village in France, is now available for international versions through Banijay Entertainment’s global network of labels.

The format is produced in collaboration with Moe Bennani (Dreamspark), with production credits shared between Jaad Productions, Presque Productions and Canal+. A second season has already been produced and is set to premiere soon on Canal+.