A Nosferatu remake from acclaimed director Robert Eggers has long been in the works, and now it seems that it’s finally moving forward. With the recent announcement of Bill Skarsgård being cast to lead the film, speculation has begun. Many believe that he will be taking on the role of the titular vampire, but this exciting prospect deserves closer scrutiny.

While casting choices matter for any film production, casting a remake has even higher stakes, particularly because audiences will compare the new actors with the originals. The role of Nosferatu (or Count Orlok, as he is sometimes called) is of the highest importance, and Bill Skarsgård is perfectly situated to excel at the part. To get a sense of the rationale behind Eggers’s casting choice, let’s discuss what makes Skarsgård such a stellar actor to play cinema’s most famous vampire.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Looking the Part

     Prana Film

As is typical with casting decisions for remakes, reboots, and adaptations, the major concern here seems to be whether the chosen actor “looks the part.” So, when it comes to Bill Skarsgård playing Nosferatu, the big question is: Can he pull off the vampire look? Though it will be some time before we see footage from Robert Eggers’s remake, it’s safe to say that Skarsgård is a promising choice in terms of appearance. Of course, heavy makeup will likely be used to alter his face, body, and teeth, but some things can’t be dressed up or modified with special effects.

For starters, Skarsgård’s imposing height of 6′ 4″ allows him to match the tall, lanky stature of the original Nosferatu (played by 6'3" German actor Max Schreck). Tallness is one of the character’s dominant traits, and it would be hard to imagine a shorter vampire looming over its victims. Thankfully, Skarsgård has height to spare. As for lankiness, the Swedish actor is incredibly thin (much thinner than his brother Alexander Skarsgård), meaning he won’t have to undergo a dramatic weight loss transformation in order to play the part. He’s also pale, with prominent, high cheekbones and deep-set, piercing eyes — all of these features together suggest a vampiric appearance even before makeup has been applied.

Horror Acting Chops

     Warner Bros. 

Nosferatu is first and foremost a horror film. Any actor brave enough to take on the role of the vampire should have at least some experience with horror movies. Thankfully, Bill Skarsgård has plenty, as he played the part of Pennywise the clown in both chapters of the recent It adaptation. So, he not only acted in a major horror franchise, but also became its poster boy and primary antagonist. With this kind of experience under his belt, Skarsgård is in a prime position to fill the same role in the Nosferatu remake.

To pull off a great performance of a horror villain, an actor needs to scare audiences. The best examples, like Pennywise in It, create tension in the audience at the slightest hint of their presence. Think of Pennywise’s red balloon, and the way that it signals danger and terror even when he hasn’t yet revealed himself. It’s equally important, however, that this fear carries over when the villain/monster finally does appear. This is where Skarsgård excels. In particular, his use of contorted facial expressions help bring Pennywise to life, while his towering stature imbues the character with threatening power. According to The New York Times, he even scared his own family with these methods. Tim Curry’s performance as Pennywise in the 1990 It miniseries may have been great, but it wasn’t terrifying in the ways that Skarsgård’s is. If this is any indication, casting Skarsgård as Nosferatu’s vampire looks to be a promising choice.

The Iconography of the Vampire

Ultimately, Skarsgård can only do so much when it comes to getting Nosferatu right. His physical characteristics and his skill as an actor go a long way, but doing the iconic vampire justice will require a group effort. The director, cinematographer, costumers, makeup artists, and set designers will each play a role in breathing new life into this classic character and story. It hasn’t been announced whether director Robert Eggers will shoot the film in black-and-white, like he did with 2019’s The Lighthouse, or if it will be a full color production. Black-and-white visuals aren’t required for a vampire movie, but mastery of light and shadow is an absolute must. Many of the most iconic scenes featuring vampires involve heavy shadowing and high contrast lighting, each of which accentuates the monster’s dark, nocturnal nature.

Bill Skarsgård has the look and the talent; the rest lies with the director and crew. But, if Robert Eggers’s track record is any indication, Skarsgård is in good hands. After the successes of The Witch (2015), The Lighthouse (2019), and The Northman (2022), Eggers is in a prime position to knock it out of the park with his Nosferatu remake, and casting Bill Skarsgård is the first step towards making that happen. Per The Prague Reporter, shooting is set to begin this fall, meaning it won’t be long until we get to see how it all pans out.