Wednesday, July 22, 2026
CultureALEX DE LA IGLESIA | Álex de la Iglesia switches to animation with a cosmic horror film produced in the Canary Islands

ALEX DE LA IGLESIA | Álex de la Iglesia switches to animation with a cosmic horror film produced in the Canary Islands

Alex de la Iglesia Steps Into Animation

A New Adventure for a Cult Director

Known for films like The Day of the Beast, The Community and 30 Coins, Alex de la Iglesia is trying something different. He is directing his first animated feature, Ages of Madness: The Howling of the Jinn. The movie will be a 3D production aimed at adults and will dive into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft.

Why Animation?

Before making movies, de la Iglesia drew comics and monsters. Animation lets him return to those early artistic roots. He says the project feels like rediscovering his beginnings while working with a talented team.

The Story: A Cursed Book Across Time

The Necronomicon at the Center

The plot revolves around the legendary Necronomicon, the forbidden book that appears throughout Lovecraft’s myths. The film follows the book through four different historical and geographical settings, showing how its dark knowledge drives people to madness.

Cosmic Horror for Teens and Adults

Expect themes of forbidden knowledge, human fragility, and forces beyond comprehension. The tone mixes dread with the director’s signature black humor and grotesque style.

Connecting With His Past

De la Iglesia describes the jump to animation not as a break but as a return to where he started. He feels excited to face something new with the same energy he had on his first day of filmmaking.

The Tenerife Studio Behind the Film

3Doubles Producciones

The animation is being handled by 3Doubles, a studio based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with over 200 professionals. They have become one of Europe’s leading animation companies.

Co‑Production with Volcano Island

The project is a co‑production with Volcano Island, a Biscayan company linked to the Basque Country’s animation scene.

Why This Matters for Spanish Animation

Darío Sánchez, CEO of 3Doubles, calls the film a dream come true. He believes adult animation is growing worldwide and that this movie can help put Spain on the global map.

Recognition and Experience

3Doubles has already earned Goya nominations for titles like Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, SuperKlaus and Norbert. The studio also works on projects such as Gungo and the Caveman Games and Flamingo Flamenco.

A Director With a Distinct Voice

Alex de la Iglesia is a National Cinematography Award winner, former president of the Film Academy, and a member of the Hollywood Academy. His films are known for visual excess, fierce humor, violence, delirium, and social commentary.

What to Expect

Ages of Madness: The Howling of the Jinn promises to be a visually striking, thought‑provoking adventure that mixes horror, history, and the director’s love for monsters. Production is set to start at the end of 2026.

Conclusion

Alex de la Iglesia’s move into animation marks an exciting chapter in his career. By revisiting his artistic beginnings and teaming up with top Spanish animators, he aims to bring Lovecraft’s cosmic horror to a new audience. The film could become a milestone for adult animation in Spain and beyond.

For more details, see the original article: Source

Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es

Check out our other content

Related Articles