Bill Skarsgård, the versatile actor best known for his haunting portrayal of Pennywise the Clown, has transitioned from the depths of horror to infamy as Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ much-anticipated remake of Nosferatu, now showing across U.S. theaters. This role adds yet another feather to Skarsgård's cap, as he solidifies his stature as one of the foremost contemporary actors within the horror genre.
Having garnered fame through his creepy clown antics, Skarsgård relishes the terror exuded by Orlok, which he claims resonates deeply with him. The film, which depicts the eerie obsession between Orlok and a young woman, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, has exceeded expectations at the holiday box office, accruing over $56 million within just nine days of release. Critics and fans alike are heralding it as one of the standout films of the season and are eagerly tracking its potential to soar to new heights within the ranks of Focus Features’ top-grossing films.
Skarsgård’s transition to Orlok highlights his evolution as an actor, but the path to this role wasn't without its competition. Interestingly, several high-profile actors were considered for the role before Skarsgård landed it. During an interview with Swedish outlet Moviezine, he revealed, “I know [director Robert Eggers] talked about Daniel Day-Lewis. And for a time, it was Willem Dafoe who was going to play him, when I was cast as Thomas. There was also talk of Mads Mikkelsen.” This fun bit of insight suggests just well he fought for the role, which has now become a signature performance for him.
Skarsgård’s portrayal of Orlok is not just another eerie turn; it's wrapped up with cultural relevance, which adds depth to the story. Director Robert Eggers made a stylistic choice to have Count Orlok communicate in ancient, extinct Dacian—a language once spoken by people who inhabited areas of modern-day Romania. Eggers explained, “When [Count Orlok is] doing his spells, he speaks ancient Dacian, which is a dead language, and the Dacians were most likely the people who became the ethnic Romanians.” This fascinating choice adds historical gravity to the film, enhancing Orlok's character through the medium of language, and emphasizing Eggers’ signature style of melding history with horror.
Beyond the immediate success of Nosferatu, Skarsgård has been vocal about his ambitions within the superhero genre. Recently, he expressed interest during his appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he mentioned the allure of the Joker character. “I think there’d be a f—ing cool Joker in me, probably. I think playing him would be pretty sick,” he mused, recalling how Heath Ledger's portrayal of the infamous character influenced his acting ambitions. Ledger’s performance, particularly during The Dark Knight, left Skarsgård inspired and marked his own aspirations with pain and reverence due to Ledger’s untimely death shortly after the iconic role.
Skarsgård’s interest highlights his deep ties to the cinematic world of villains, as he continues to thrive on darker roles. With significant portrayals already under his belt, including characters from comic book movies such as Deadpool 2 and Eternals, he seems to have developed the versatility needed to take on such iconic roles as those within the DC universe. While Skarsgård entertains the possibility of stepping foot onto the DC stage, the specifics remain clouded, particularly with no casting announcement made for the Joker role under the upcoming DC Universe leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The Skarsgård family is often recognized for their acting pedigree, with patriarch Stellan as the cornerstone. Bill Skarsgård noted earlier how his father's career influences his own. He reflects, “My dad instilled in all of us…”, underlining the element of support and legacy prevalent within the family. Joining him are his siblings, Alexander, Gustaf, and Valter, who, alongside Bill, have each made their unique mark within the entertainment industry.
With the blending of Skarsgård’s personal and professional life, the transition from portraying Pennywise to Count Orlok reinforces not only the actor's range but also his commitment to exploring complex themes within horror. The success of Nosferatu is merely the beginning for Bill Skarsgård, with numerous exciting opportunities on the horizon, including his continued associations with horror and potential ventures beyond it. Whether he’ll end up making waves as the Joker or become whatever he chooses next remains to be watched, but Skarsgård is undoubtedly on the path of greatness, one chilling role at a time.