Bill Skarsgård, known for enticing viewers with his chilling performance in It, continued to exhibit his remarkable versatility with a recent string of compelling roles. In 2022, he enthralled us as Keith in Zach Cregger’s Barbarian and seamlessly stepped into the shoes of a villain in Chad Stahelski’s John Wick: Chapter 4.
With a mastery that thrills, the actor, 33, then carried the action-packed narrative in Moritz Mohr’s Boy Kills World. Now, Skarsgård is set to dazzle us once again as he embodies the enigmatic Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated gothic horror, Nosferatu. This is not all; the actor will soon grace our screens as the iconic antihero in the upcoming movie The Crow, releasing in a couple of months.
Bearing witness to his spellbinding transformations, Eggers was eventually drawn to the idea of casting Skarsgård as a character initially envisioned for someone much older. This is a clear indication that The Crow is also well worth considering.
Robert Eggers on Bill Skarsgård’s Haunting Performance in Nosferatu
Bill Skarsgård has been making waves in Hollywood with his bewitching performances in various films, from playing a vile antagonist to embodying the essence of pure evil. His forthcoming roles in The Crow as Eric Draven and as Count Orlok in Nosferatu reflect breadth as well as dedication to his work.
But one must ask, as we eagerly anticipate his forthcoming roles, what lengths has this actor gone to in his search to perfect the art of embodying pure evil?
Well, in a recent interview with Esquire, Skarsgård revealed the intense process he underwent to become the villainous Count Orlok. He described it as “conjuring pure evil”, while also admitting that it took a toll on him:
It took a while for me to shake off the demon that had been conjured inside of me.
Director Robert Eggers also praised Skarsgård for his commitment to the role, saying that the actor was “on a different level” when it came to understanding the occult aspects of the story. The Lighthouse director admitted:
I remember early on, him trying to talk to me about what it meant to be a dead sorcerer — and I’m into some pretty heavy occult s*it, but he was on a different level.
Despite initial hesitations about casting Skarsgård in the role of Count Orlok, Eggers eventually became convinced that the former was the perfect fit for the character. The “eerie” transformation the actor underwent during makeup tests reinforced Eggers’ belief that Skarsgård had truly embodied the character:
Somewhere in that second makeup test, I was like, ‘He’s become the character.’ It was eerie to see in the footage. Anything he did, anywhere he turned or looked, you were like, ‘He’s got it.’
Given that Eggers is highly astonished by Skarsgård’s dedication to the role, we should give the latter’s The Crow a watch as well.
The Crow: Bill Skarsgård’s Surprising Criticism of Rupert Sanders’ Film
With his film The Crow, Bill Skarsgård is getting ready to bring back a beloved franchise that has not had a new installment since 2005 (The Crow: Wicked Prayer). However, the lead actor may not be overly happy with the way Rupert Sanders’ film ended.
The John Wick: Chapter 4 actor stated in an interview with Esquire that his biggest issue with the movie was its ending. Speaking candidly, Skarsgård disclosed that he felt detached from the project now that two years have passed since its filming wrapped. While he didn’t reveal much about the plot, he would have preferred a different ending:
I personally preferred something more definitive.
Skarsgård has a lot riding on this film, there is no doubt about that. Firstly, it is a risky choice for him to play the supernatural vigilante Eric. He has to take over the role that was first portrayed by Brandon Lee. Secondly, fans are loyal to the source material and highly aware of everything.
The bottom line is that if the film manages to soar with the kind of respect and homage that stirs the hearts of its fans, we could definitely expect a sequel. So, when The Crow hits theaters, be sure to give Skarsgård a chance to showcase his talent as the titular antihero. His portrayal of Count Orlok in Nosferatu is sure to be equally chilling and unforgettable.
Nosferatu will open in theaters on December 25, 2024, while The Crow is scheduled for release on August 23, 2024.
