The Beijing Forbidden City Film Corporation initially sought to hire a Chinese director, but filming humans with real wolves was considered too difficult. New Zealand director Peter Jackson was approached, but production did not take place. Annaud, whose 1997 film Seven Years in Tibet is banned in China, was hired despite the history.
The Beijing Forbidden City Film Corporation initially aimed to recruit a Chinese filmmaker, but the idea of depicting humans alongside real wolves proved too complicated. New Zealand director Peter Jackson was considered, but the project ultimately failed to take off. Annaud, who had previously directed Seven Years in Tibet, a film banned in China due to its sensitive historical content, was brought on board despite the potential backlash.