Renfield director Chris McKay reveals the movie is a shock sequel to 1931’s Dracula. McKay, who beforehand directed The Lego Batman Film and The Tomorrow Conflict, is on the helm of the horror comedy that stars Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Holt because the titular Renfield. The movie is predicated on an thought from The Strolling Lifeless and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman, with the story specializing in Dracula’s henchman coping with an sad work life.
Whereas talking with Collider, McKay revealed that Renfield is a direct sequel to Tod Browning’s 1931 Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. The sequel angle has been saved beneath wraps, with the director even suggesting that it ought to have been a part of the advertising and marketing, enjoying up the time between the unique movie and the brand new sequel. Whereas there’s nonetheless an charisma surrounding the movie, its standing as a sequel helps refocus what has been proven in promotional materials. Take a look at McKay’s feedback on Renfield being a secret Dracula sequel beneath:
“I saved telling advertising and marketing that that’s what we should always say, that that is the one direct sequel. I suppose you possibly can argue ‘Dracula’s Daughter’ is a sequel as a result of the opening scene is the aftermath of the Tod Browning film, however Bela Lugosi’s not in it, it’s a complete totally different set of characters. And it’s a fantastic film, it’s wild when you haven’t seen it. I believed the film was nice. However to me, that is the one actual direct sequel with the Dracula and the Renfield of that film. So yeah, I want they’d use that within the advertising and marketing. I believe that might’ve been a humorous means of positioning this film. The longest time between the unique film and the sequel, beating ‘Psycho,’ or no matter. I suppose ‘Avatar’ perhaps now, because it looks like a very long time because the first one.”
What To Count on From Renfield Now That It is A Identified Dracula Sequel
Browning’s 1931 Dracula is a basic horror movie, with Lugosi’s portrayal typically cited because the template for many who would comply with in his footsteps. Whereas Renfield will set a brand new file for the longest time between sequels, beating the 64-year hole between Bambi and Bambi II, it additionally redefines what has been proven in trailers. The movie is alleged to be based mostly on an authentic thought from Kirkman, which continues to be legitimate by way of increasing on the unique however means he had a extra outlined jumping-off level than beforehand identified.
Cage has additionally said that his Dracula efficiency has taken inspiration from Christopher Lee’s and different actors who performed the position. Whereas Lee’s time as Dracula has change into iconic, Cage will doubtless mix totally different interactions, together with Lugosi’s efficiency. Cage appears to be like to offer an intense and eccentric efficiency, making the character work his personal. In an interview with ScreenRant, McKay said that he shot “Hoult and Cage on a inexperienced display screen and [they were] comped into the Tod Browning film,” recreating their preliminary assembly.
Dwight Frye performed Renfield within the 1931 Dracula, with Holt now taking over the position. On condition that it is a direct follow-up, Holt can be enjoying the identical character as Frye’s Renfield. Nonetheless, the movie’s tone is probably the most vital change from 1931’s Dracula to Renfield. Dracula was a horror movie, whereas Renfield is a horror comedy, enjoying the henchman’s predicament for laughs. What additional surprises Renfield has in retailer can be revealed when the film releases on April 14.
Supply: Collider/ScreenRant
