Titled "First Glimpse: Bill Skarsgård Transforms into Count Orlok in 'Nosferatu' Remake"
Unveiling the enigmatic Count Orlok from "Nosferatu" for the first time, the marketers of the 2024 vampire thriller have kept their lips sealed until now. The highly anticipated film, released on Dec. 25, swiftly established itself as a globetrotting blockbuster with a staggering $136.1 million box office income to date, according to "The Numbers." With a production budget of $50 million, "Deadline" reveals, the production costs were relatively modest compared to its lucrative returns.
In the beginning, Focus Features reserved the appearance of Count Orlok from all promo materials, including their initial teaser trailer and official trailer. There was nary a clear image of the infamous character in sight, with only shadowy shots and silhouettes of him featured in their extensive press kit, which comprises of 51 images.
Instead, the attention was on the filmmakers, such as writer-director Robert Eggers, producer Chris Columbus, and the star-studded cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Johnny Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Simon McBurney, Ralph Ineson, and Willem Dafoe.
However, Focus Features chose to toss discourse about Count Orlak's appearance into the mix on Monday, when they revealed a 1-minute, 7-second video featurette on the character. In the video, Bill Skarsgård, the man behind the Count, discusses his transformation into the classic character for Eggers' reinterpretation.
"Spoiler alert," the video showcases various shots of Skarsgård as Count Orlok, both from movie scenes and behind-the-scenes footage.
Interestingly, the studio remained tight-lipped about Count Orlok's voice until now, with Skarsgård admitting in the video featurette that performing the voice was his most challenging aspect.
"I have never been more scared playing a character," Skarsgård confessed. "Despite my past experiences with frightening roles, such as Pennywise the Clown in the Stephen King adaption, Count Orlok was an entirely new experience for me."
Skarsgård's cast mates reportedly shared the same apprehension, with one reportedly exclaiming, "Oh, shit!" in response to his transformation.
With a "fresh" 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "Nosferatu" holds its ground in theaters despite some mixed reviews. The film's erotic undertones, including graphic sexual touches and an explicit relationship between Ellen and Count Orlok, adds a new dimension to the classic story.
- F.W. Murnau, the director of the original 1922 "Nosferatu", is often credited as the inspiration for Robert Eggers' 2024 interpretation of Count Orlok.
- Bill Skarsgård, known for his roles in various movies, takes on the iconic role of Count Orlok in the 2024 'Nosferatu'.
- If you're curious about what Count Orlok looks like in the 2024 'Nosferatu', you can find several images online, as well as in the promotional video featuring Bill Skarsgård.
- While researching for his role as Count Orlok in 'Nosferatu 2024', Bill Skarsgard found it particularly challenging to perfect the character's distinctive voice.
- In a recent interview, Bill Skarsgard commented on his role in 'Nosferatu 2024' by stating, "Playing Count Orlok was an entirely new experience for me, even more terrifying than playing Pennywise."
