Cage denied staying in character between takes, citing his lack of recollection. He attributed his unique way of speaking to the fangs in his mouth. However, he acknowledged that his experience may differ from others. Nicolas Cage Denies Method Acting as Dracula on ‘Renfield’ Set: “Had Fun Between Takes”
Blame it on the fangs
Chris McKay, the director of “Renfield,” claimed that Nicolas Cage adopted the method acting approach while playing Dracula. According to McKay, Cage remained in character even after the shooting stopped. However, Cage himself recalled a different version of events during the movie’s New York premiere, stating that he did not stay in character between takes and did not have the same experience as McKay described.
Nicolas Cage disputed director Chris McKay’s claim that he went method while playing Dracula in “Renfield.” Cage stated that he didn’t recall staying in character between takes and had a good time joking around with McKay and Nick Hoult. While acknowledging that he still had the fangs in his mouth, he denied that it affected his behavior off-camera.
Regardless, playing Dracula in Universal’s horror comedy “Renfield” demands a certain range from Nicolas Cage. The veteran actor, known for his iconic roles, takes on one of the most recognizable characters in film history. Co-starring alongside Nicholas Hoult, who portrays Dracula’s tormented assistant seeking a life beyond serving the count, Cage found the film’s dual tones intriguing and a reason to sign up for the project.
Nicolas Cage discussed his approach to playing Dracula in “Renfield,” aiming to blend both scare and humor in his performance. The veteran actor found it challenging to balance creepiness and humor in his line delivery, a unique aspect of his portrayal of the iconic character.
While acknowledging the numerous portrayals of Dracula in film, Nicolas Cage drew inspiration from his father, August Coppola, for his take on the iconic character. Cage cited the performances of Christopher Lee, Bela Lugosi, Frank Langella, and Gary Oldman as starting points, but emphasized his father’s influence on his portrayal.
Nicolas Cage drew inspiration from his father’s eloquent and distinguished way of speaking for his portrayal of Dracula in “Renfield.” Cage believed that Dracula, being an age-old character, would have a similar aura. He also found inspiration in Anne Bancroft’s performance in “The Graduate,” which he considered seductive and Dracula-esque. Cage studied the mid-Atlantic vocalization shared by both his father and Bancroft to create his character’s manner of speaking.
Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult reunited for “Renfield” after previously working together on “The Weather Man” in 2005 when Hoult was 14 years old.
Nicholas Hoult expressed his admiration for Nicolas Cage, calling him a master of the craft after reuniting with him for the filming of “Renfield.” Hoult appreciated Cage’s contribution to the cinematic world, including his iconic performances. When he first read the script for the film, he felt it was a different take on the classic character but was excited about the potential for a fun movie. Hoult believed that if the unique approach to the story worked, it would be a success.
According to McKay, Nicolas Cage was the perfect choice to play the iconic vampire in “Renfield” due to his ability to embody the “rock ‘n’ roll Dracula” described in the script. He praised Cage’s appearance and attitude, saying he could wear the outfits and accessories and look amazing in the role.
McKay was overwhelmed when he saw Cage in full costume and said he was “almost in tears” because he knew the movie would work. Ben Schwartz also praised Cage’s unpredictability and uniqueness as an actor, saying that he always brings 110 percent to every scene, which made him perfect for the role of Dracula in “Renfield.”
According to Schwartz, when Cage is in character as Dracula, he is fully immersed in the role and gets himself pumped up. He noted that it’s like acting with the real Dracula, and when they stop filming, they just hang out and talk about other movies.