How Bill Skarsgård Transformed Into a ‘Dead Transylvanian Nobleman’ for ‘Nosferatu’

It was no little task to turn Bill Skarsgård into the dreadful Count Orlok for ‘Nosferatu’. The process of transforming the actor’s “boyish face” into a terrifying on-screen vampire was explained by Skarsgård and director Robert Eggers in an exclusive behind-the-scenes video that was shared with PEOPLE.
In the video, Skarsgård quips that changing his outfit “breaks the illusion.” Costars Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp considered the effects of his metamorphosis in the meantime. In order to express dread in their moments together, Depp recalls being truly frightened the first time she saw Skarsgård in full costume.
Eggers stated that creating Orlok’s appearance was a difficult task. A “dead Transylvanian nobleman” was to be shown while honouring the classic “folk vampire.” Before Skarsgård brought the character to life, Eggers revealed that the design process included a number of digital renderings and detailed sketches. The finished ensemble fused period-appropriate clothing with aspects of occultist warlords.
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According to Dafoe, who portrays Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, the outfit is a distinctive interpretation of vampires that gives viewers a real-life impression of the character’s undead existence.
Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are also in the Christmas Day release. Hoult disclosed a peculiar memento from the show—a framed prosthesis from Skarsgård’s outfit—in an interview with Elle. Hoult revealed that Eggers gave him the item as a wrap present because he felt the prosthesis during a scene in which his character interacts directly with Orlok. After that, Hoult had it fixed at a frame shop, where the odd object raised some interesting queries.
–Farheen Ali