Bill Skarsgård is making waves once again, this time as Count Orlok in the highly anticipated 2024 remake of Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers. Known for his chilling portrayal of Pennywise in the It series, Skarsgård's transformation for this latest role is nothing short of impressive, showcasing the depths of his versatility as an actor.
From the moment Skarsgård slipped on the elaborate Count Orlok costume, he felt the weight of the character upon him. At first, his reaction was one of shock: “What the fuck?” he exclaimed, grappling with the layers of prosthetics and makeup masking his identity. According to Skarsgård, it felt as though the costume could become a barrier to his performance. “I was worried I couldn't perform through it, it would feel like giant prosthetic pieces, and I couldn't come alive through it,” he shared with Entertainment Weekly.
Eggers, known for his distinctive ambiance and storytelling, wanted to breathe new life and depth to the classic tale. Although the film is expected to capture the essence of F.W. Murnau’s original 1922 portrayal, Eggers aims to instill both horror and allure within Orlok’s character. He stated, “I cast a young, handsome, charming actor, rather than digging up Christopher Lee’s corpse and trying using it as a meat puppet,” indicating Skarsgård’s inherent charisma and how it plays against the monstrous visual presentation.
Skarsgård, wearing the grotesque shape of Orlok during the film, brings to life not just the aspects of horror, but also psychological dimensions of the character. “Orlok is an occult sorcerer, and it did a number on me... it was like conjuring pure evil,” he recounted to Empire, illustrating how deeply immersed he became in the role. This portrayal challenged him, and his reflections indicate the internal battles faced when taking on such dark personas.
Visually revealed, Count Orlok boasts not only skin textures of decay but also the eerie attribute of having both grotesque and compelling characteristics. Skarsgård has noted how he embraced the transformation and it often left audiences startled yet intrigued, aligning with the film’s goal of maintaining suspense and mystery visually. Eggers also commended Skarsgård’s dedication, emphasizing, "You can see Bill [as Pennywise]... you can’t detect any Bill here,” confirming the extent of his metamorphosis.
The effort required to embody Orlok was immense. “Bill lost tremendous amounts of weight” for the role, Eggers noted. This physical alteration paired with vocal training enables Skarsgård to define Orlok's chilling presence effectively, adding layers to his performance. He trained his voice to reach deep tones, adopting speech techniques honed by opera singer Ásgerður Júníusdóttir to emit Orlok's linguistic nuances seen only sporadically through the film.
For many actors, portraying infamous villains can leave lasting impacts. Skarsgård’s experience does not shy away from this reality; he openly admits to the mental toll of taking on Orlok. He reflected after finishing filming, stating the wrap brought him undeniable relief. This lengthy, grueling undertaking has contributed to his reconsideration of future roles: "When we were done with it, I was like, 'I never want to play something this evil again. I never want to put on prosthetics again,'” said Skarsgård, indicating he’s genuinely assessing future horror roles.
Yet, fans of Skarsgård's work need not worry about his haunting character, Pennywise. Despite his comments on not wanting positional prosthetic roles, evidence shows he will reprise this iconic role during the upcoming prequel series Welcome to Derry, reaffirming his attachment to at least some horrific engagements he has anchored. Earlier, he voiced his readiness to work with Eggers, who has created unique storytelling environments throughout his projects.
Filming Nosferatu was not just another job for Bill Skarsgård; it was meeting longstanding career aspirations. "When you have a director who is so specific, it's actually liberate,” he commented, reflecting how Eggers' vision for Orlok aligned closely with Skarsgård’s artistry. He was surprised yet thrilled when offered the chance to embody such an iconic horror character, sharing how impactful the collaboration was for him. "I thought, 'That's me — that's what I look like on the inside,'” he mused, hinting at self-realization within the character he attempted to epitomize.
This latest portrayal of Count Orlok promises to add another chapter to the legacy of horror cinema, positioning Bill Skarsgård among greats who’ve terrorized audiences throughout film history. Such dedication to craft speaks volumes about what Skarsgård brings to the genre, effectively capturing the horror within. Skarsgård's remarkable transition from Pennywise to Orlok showcases his incredible range and passion for storytelling, ensuring his strong presence was felt beyond the silver screen.
