Nicholas Hoult just wants to be free from his boss. The only problem? He is bound for eternity to a deranged bloodsucking madman named Dracula.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage transforms into the famous vampire for the comedy "Renfield," directed by Chris McKay ("The LEGO Batman Movie") and using a script by "Rick & Morty" screenwriter Ryan Ridley. “Renfield” is based on an original idea by “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible” creator Robert Kirkman.
Director: Chris McKay
Writers: Ryan Ridley, Robert Kirkman
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina
According to the official synopsis, in this modern monster tale of Dracula's loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured sidekick to history's most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master's prey and follow his every command, no matter how demeaning. But after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there is life outside the shadow of the Prince of Darkness. If only he could figure out how to end his codependency.
Cage previously compared his take on Dracula to Andy Warhol's, telling Empire magazine: "When I had an idea of where [director] McKay wanted to go, I realized the film has a comedic, art-house attitude. pop. So I thought, 'This is going to be a pop-art Dracula.' Warhol did a great black-on-black Dracula. This is in that vein of Warhol."
Cage turned to the original vampire masterpiece "Nosferatu" for inspiration. “I noticed all these little gestures that by today's standards are 'exaggerated,'” Cage explained. “When Max Schreck does that [he breaks his wrist and spreads his fingers] and goes up in smoke, I was like, 'What is that? Is it dance? What is broadcasting there?' I told Chris McKay that I really wanted to find a place to put that in 'Renfield'. I haven't seen the movie so I don't know if they kept it, but I tried. ”
He added: "It's largely a studio image, so I wanted to play with, 'What can I do here?' If you're playing Dracula, you have a lot of freedom."
“Renfield” is produced by Skybound Entertainment partners Robert Kirkman and David Alpert, co-chairmen Bryan Furst and Sean Furst, and director Chris McKay. McKay's producing partner, Samantha Nisenboim, will serve as executive producer.
“Renfield” opens April 14 in theaters.