Richard Armitage Returns to Horror With New Thriller ‘Chinghiale’ Filming in Italy

Richard Armitage, best known to horror fans for his disturbing portrayal of Francis Dolarhyde in Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal, is returning to the genre with the upcoming psychological thriller Chinghiale. The film also stars Britt Robertson (Books of Blood) and Quelin Sepulveda (Havoc) and has officially begun production in Tuscany, Italy.

Armitage made his debut as Dolarhyde during the third season of Hannibal, which adapted the Red Dragon storyline. Following memorable performances by Tom Noonan in Michael Mann’s Manhunter and Ralph Fiennes in Red Dragon, Armitage delivered his own chilling interpretation of the serial killer, becoming one of the standout elements of the acclaimed series.

Now, the actor is stepping back into horror with Chinghiale, which recently began filming in the medieval town of Barga, in the Province of Lucca, Tuscany, according to Deadline.

What Is ‘Chinghiale’ About?

Robertson and Sepulveda play two friends who travel to a remote Italian village to settle a family estate. Their visit takes a deadly turn when they become caught in a game of deception orchestrated by a charming local hunter with a terrifying secret, played by Armitage.

The film’s title, Chinghiale, is the Italian word for wild boar. The animals are common throughout Barga and the surrounding Garfagnana Valley, where they roam the forests and occasionally venture into town.

Jordan Tragash Directs the New Psychological Thriller

Jordan Tragash (Bam!) directs the thriller, which uses the region’s distinctive landscape and seasonal weather to establish its atmosphere.

“Our shooting location offers an incredible backdrop, with steep cliffs, dense mist, and real-life wild boar roaming the surrounding hills. It’s the perfect setting for the kind of atmospheric thriller we are producing here,” Tragash said. “We are excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to capture this one-of-a-kind environment alongside our world class ensemble.”

The supporting cast also includes Kalil Sims (Bam!) and Alessandro Bertolucci (Rebel Hours).

Armitage is perhaps best known to mainstream audiences for playing Thorin in The Hobbit trilogy. His other genre credits include the horror films The Lodge and Hannibal, as well as voicing Trevor Belmont in Netflix’s Castlevania.

Robertson has also built an impressive genre résumé, with appearances in Scream 4, Stephen King’s Under the Dome, and Clive Barker’s Books of Blood adaptation for Hulu.

Stay tuned to GoreCulture for further updates on Chinghiale as production continues.