What happens when an ordinary man starts to shrink? Actor Jean Dujardin is about to find out in a new film from director Jan Kounen. The story, called The Shrinking Man, follows a man whose life is turned upside down after a strange weather event. His body begins to shrink, slowly and without explanation. This uncontrollable process changes everything about his daily life and how he sees the world.
This story has a long history. It is based on a famous 1956 science-fiction novel by Richard Matheson. The book was quickly adapted into a movie a year later. Directed by Jack Arnold in 1957, that film became a classic. It was known for its amazing special effects at the time. Over the years, it gained a cult following and inspired a whole new generation of filmmakers and movie fans.
With this new version, Jan Kounen plans to honor the original film while giving it a modern update. The story is set in present-day France, offering a contemporary point of view. The project is a co-production with Belgium and has the backing of distributor Universal Pictures, a clear sign of its international goals. Even the promotional art has a throwback style, hinting at the look of American adventure and suspense movies from the 1950s.
Jean Dujardin is joined by actress Marie-Josée Croze, but her role is still a secret. This mystery raises an interesting question about the script. Could the filmmakers be blending plots from different adaptations? After the 1957 film, another version called The Shrinking Woman was released in 1981. The new movie might weave both stories together to create a fresh and daring take on the original work.
We will all get to see how this new interpretation unfolds soon enough. The official release date for The Shrinking Man is October 29, 2025.