How ‘Malignant’ Will Inspire Nicolas Cage’s Dracula In New Horror Film ‘Renfield’
Earlier this winter we announced that Nicolas Cage will be playing Dracula in Renfield, a forthcoming reinterpretation of the classic vampire property. Renfield will also star Nicholas Hoult in the title role as Dracula’s infamous sidekick. Now the eccentric actor shares how modern horror films Malignant and Ringu will support his interpretation.
As excited as we are about seeing Nicolas Cage as Drac, this won’t be the first time he’s played in vampire territory. Cage appeared in the 1989 comedic cult classic Vampire’s Kiss, and now he’ll be taking the things a bit further as the daddy of all the vamps in Renfield.
Cage recently spoke about his inspiration for playing good ol’ Dracula in a podcast with Variety. In the interview, he shared some surprising references for playing the most famous vampire of all time.
Vampire in a cage
“I can tell you that it’s amazing,” Cage shared about playing the role. “It’s a really fun and exciting opportunity. I looked at Bela Lugosi’s performance, and then I looked at Frank Langella’s performance.”
The most famous modern adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel was brought to life by Cage’s uncle Francis Ford Coppola in 1992. Bram Stoker’s Dracula starred Gary Oldman, which the actor also cited during his Variety interview.
“I looked at Gary’s performance in uncle’s movie, which I think it’s just so sumptuous. Every frame is a work of art,” Cage said.
But Nicolas Cage wants to bring his own brand to the famous role. “I want it to pop in a unique way from how we’ve seen it played,” he said on the subject. “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.”
Just don’t get it twisted, Nicolas Cage is still ready for the comedy of it all.
“What makes it super fun is that it’s a comedy,” he shared. “And when you get that tone right — comedy and horror — like An American Werewolf in London, it’s a blast. It’s got to be a bulls-eye. But that’s what I’m looking for, something new to bring to the character, and also that perfect tone of comedy and horror.”
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