Joe Nimziki to make directorial debut on The Howling: Reborn Producers Joel Kastelberg andEtchie Stroh are re-launching the “Howling” franchise as The Howling: Reborn. Helmed by Joe Dante, The Howling was released in 1981 and spawned six sequels. Dee Wallace-Stone starred as a news anchor stalked by a serial killer who turns out to be a werewolf. Joe Nimziki will make his feature directorial debut from his own script. The film is scheduled to start shooting in February for a Halloween release, with plot details under wraps.