Nicholas Hoult says Nicolas Cage as Dracula in Renfield is bizarre

Nicolas Cage did his best to play Dracula.

The “Renfield” actor, who previously compared his interpretation of the famous undead bloodsucker to a “pop-art Warhol,” reportedly stayed in character during production of “Renfield,” leaving co-star Nicholas Hoult “dizzy” on set.

“It was one of the weirdest scenarios of my life when I looked over and saw Nic Cage fully dressed as Dracula,” Hoult said. Fun tonight seeing Cage in costume. “I mean, it doesn’t get any better than that. So I was really giddy most of the time on set and I had the best time working with him.”

Hoult continued: “He was Nic Cage. But the funny thing was, when he switched to Dracula, all the influences he brought to the character and where he drew inspiration from were really fun. And then sometimes you see that little Nic Cage-ism inside that we like to see in the movies.”

“Whatever scene we’re doing, he’s still 100 percent in that attitude after we stop shooting,” McKay said. “So if it’s a little bit frozen in the scene, you’ll have a little bit between the two takes. But we’re still ready for what we did. But you also have to remember that he’s covered head to toe in Dracula makeup and costume, so that’s different. Sometimes he couldn’t even bend his body very much because he was wearing a full-body device. So he’s Dracula, whether he wants to be Dracula or not.”

“Renfield” actors Hoult and Cage starred together in 2005’s “The Weatherman” almost 20 years ago. Cage reflected on reuniting with Hoult during a recent Reddit AMA thread.

“In The Weatherman, I played in the movie and Nick played my son and supported me, so it was a different dynamic. In ‘Renfield,’ Nick is acting in the film and I’m supporting him, so it’s two very different approaches to film performance,” Cage said. “I think the supporting actors have to support their leads and keep up with where they’re going, setting the pace and the flavors they bring so it all comes together. I was actually absolutely in awe of Nick Hoult at 14 because he was so poised and so confident and I had no doubt that he would become the star he became. So yes, I was very happy to work with him again.”

Hoult weighed in, noting that he was initially “drained” working with Cage.

“She was intimidated, but she felt very calm and safe with Nick,” Hoult admitted. “I should note that I also ate my first corndog in his presence. It was in a scene that was obviously a big moment that stuck with me. But then yes, to be able to work with him again, as an adult, I appreciate his work much more.”

Hoult said to Cage, “At 14, I hadn’t seen most of your filmography. Now that I’m back as an adult, I’ve had time to delve into your work, and I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from it. It’s so special to see what you bring to each scene and moment. I get to see one of the most iconic actors in one of the most iconic roles ever. It’s magic.”

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