WithChris McKay’s vampire comedy horrorRenfieldjust over a week away from emerging in theaters, co-starsNicholas HoultandNicolas Cageare eager to hype up one another’s performance in the Universal monster movie. Collider can exclusively reveal a new featurette that sees the two actors espousing high praise for what they each brought to the set creatively. By the end, it’s clear they had a blast working together once again to bring the iconic vampire Dracula and his loyal titular servant to life in a manner never seen before.Hoult opens up the clip by talking about the legacy of Cage and his sheer excitement when he first heard of his casting. One thing Hoult testifies to is Cage’s willingness to go all in for thebloody funofRenfield. The Oscar winner has proven he’s up for anythingover the course of his career, from classics likeLeaving Las Vegasto indie horror gems likeMandyand even the self-aware, self-parodyingThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, but Hoult called it a “highlight of his career” to play against Cage’srevitalized Dracula. Cage, for his part, sees the same charm in Hoult that he saw while playing the actor’s father inThe Weather Man. He likes the vulnerable, soulful approach Hoult brings to acting, but his highest praise is saved for Hoult’s comedic chops which he refers to as “Chaplin-esque.” No matter howRenfieldis received, the stars want viewers to know the other is really bringing it to make the film something special.Renfieldtakes a unique spin on the supernatural connection between Dracula and Renfield, redefining it as atoxic relationshipcenturies in the making. A “sequel” to the 1931DraculastarringBela Lugosi, the film follows Hoult’s Renfield as he tries to escape the long shadow of his megalomaniacal, supernaturally powerful boss Dracula. It’s a big swing for Universal, echoing the Hammer Horror films with a"pop art" Dracula that hearkens back toChristopher Leewhile still connecting to audiences with good humor. Hoult and Cage’s clashes are sure to be the comedic highlight as the poor servant finally learns how to find the light.RELATED:Nicolas Cage Talks ‘Renfield,’ Playing Dracula, and His Favorite Vampire FilmsHoult and Cage are joined inRenfieldbyAwkwafinawho’ll also see a lot of time with Renfield as his romantic interest and traffic cop with an anger issue Rebecca. She acts as botha threat to the long-standing image of Dracula and Renfieldand also a way for the assistant to finally escape his master even if she is freaked out by the fact that he basically “gets the villain’s Postmates.“Ben Schwartzalso plays a prominent roleas a colorfully-dressed crime bossat the head of a werewolf mask-donning gang, poising him as the true villain of the flick despite Dracula’s torment.Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Bess Rouss,andJames Moses Blackall round out the cast.
When Can You SeeRenfieldin Theaters?
Helping to bringRenfieldtogether areInvincible’sRobert KirkmanandRick and Morty’sRyan Ridleywho penned the screenplay. Before haunting theaters, McKay’s latest is on a brief festival tour after making itsworld premiere at the Overlook Film Festivalback on March 30. General audiences, meanwhile, will be able to sink their teeth into the horror comedy in theaters on April 14.
