What’s better than knowing Nicolas Cage is set to play Dracula in the upcoming film, “Renfield?” Well, how about knowing the full array of influences that he is inspired by? Especially if one of those influences comes from the most bonkers horror film of 2021, “Malignant.” Folks, we’re still a long way away from seeing “Renfield,” but can we already crown this as our Most Anticipated Film?
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Speaking to Variety, Nicolas Cage talked about taking on the role of Dracula for Chris McKay’s “Renfield.” And in doing so, he listed what influences he is inspired by and that will help shape his performance in the film.
“I looked at Bela Lugosi’s performance, and then I looked at Frank Langella’s performance,” Cage said. “I looked at Gary [Oldman’s] performance in [Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’], which I think it’s just so sumptuous. Every frame is a work of art.”
But when it comes to some non-vampiric influences, it appears Cage looked at a classic in Japanese horror, as well as one of the most polarizing horror films of 2021, to help hone in on what he’s going to bring to the character of Dracula.
He added, “I want it to pop in a unique way from how we’ve seen it played. So I’m thinking to really focus on the movement of the character. You know, I saw ‘Malignant’ and I thought what she did with those moves — and even ‘Ringu’ with Sadako [Yamamura] … I want to look at what we can explore with this movement and voice.”
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The “she” that Cage is referring to in “Malignant” is Annabelle Wallis, who plays the lead role in James Wan’s horror film. Without spoiling that film, clearly Wallis is going for something in the role, and whether or not you believe Wan is knowingly leaning into the campy aspects or if he stumbled into a masterpiece in a similar way to “The Room,” really paints how much you enjoy what “Malignant” has to offer. Regardless, there’s nothing but excitement knowing Cage is looking at that film for any inspiration. Let’s be real, the fact that Nic Cage isn’t in “Malignant” is a crime itself.
It would appear “Renfield” is shaping up to be a bit of a whacky horror-comedy, which is great news. We really can’t wait to see what Cage has up his sleeve as Dracula, as well as what actors Awkwafina and Nicholas Hoult are set to do.