Renfield star Ben Schwartz has admitted that even he didn’t know what Nicholas Cage looked like as Dracula in the upcoming Universal film, ahead of pictures leaking online.
As the on-set snaps hit the internet last week, showing the Face/Off actor resplendent in a red velvet suit, jewellery and pale make-up – complete with long nails – fans were delighted to see the 58-year-old looking so perfect in the role.
Renfield will focus on the iconic vampire’s titular henchman, played by Nicholas Hoult, with the comedy horror also starring Awkwafina alongside Ben.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk ahead of the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the voice actor laughingly revealed: ‘I don’t think those photos were supposed to come out because I hadn’t seen him in that look from Dracula yet.’
Teasing what very little he can about the movie at this stage, the 40-year-old added: ‘So what I could say is that it’s super exciting. I get to play a character like I’ve never played before, and Nic Cage is Dracula! What else do you need?
‘Nick Hoult is unbelievable in it, Chris McKay’s doing a great job directing it.’
Returning to the photos, the Parks and Recreation star also revealed how impressed he was with speedy reactions to the images.
‘So I don’t think those pictures were supposed to come out, but I also saw online that someone already made an action figure off of that one paparazzi picture!’
The power of Nic Cage’s fan base cannot be underestimated.
Chatting to Metro.co.uk alongside his Sonic the Hedgehog 2 co-star was James Marsden, who plays Sonic’s guardian Tom.
Discussing his decision to return for the sequel, James shared that he was ‘so proud’ of the first film.
‘It’s very rare that you’re a part of something that every generation can watch and be entertained by but manages that balance of action and comedy and heart and blends it all so perfectly. It’s that sort of magic formula, we feel like we got lucky and just hit it on every level, it just worked. I think a movie like Sonic just brings people joy. It’s got that sort of light energy and joy to it, and it just makes me proud to be a part of something like that.’
Tongue-in-cheek, he continued: ‘I have three kids, so I take that into consideration as well, that I can enjoy this with my children, who are now in their 40s – but it’s a great family movie, but it’s a movie for everybody, really. It’s got these crazy big action sequences and crazy special effects and new characters coming in. It’s like, why wouldn’t I want to be a part of it?’
Sonic star Ben also emphasised how excited they were to release the film in cinemas, given the effects the pandemic has had on the film industry since March 2020.
‘It’s not lost on us that the idea that we’re doing a movie that comes out in movie theatres that everybody can enjoy,’ he said. ‘It’s a very difficult thing to happen nowadays, and so the idea that we get to do another one of these is amazing. The goal is to get to do a series of things and grow your character out even more and now we can introduce Knuckles, now we can introduce Tails, and if we get a third one, maybe we can choose more characters and build out this world.’
Calling the film a ‘huge treat’ to work on, the actor also teased possible sequels in the future.
‘The goal of all goals is to keep going. If you have something that people like, the idea that you can bring joy to people in that type of way is something that we’re really looking forward to and excited [by].’
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is exclusively in cinemas April 1. Renfield is currently in production with an unexpected 2023 release date.
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