“It’s so intimidating, sitting next to you, staring at me.”
“Because I played your Dracula, that’s why!”
“I wanted to find a new way into a Dracula story,” says Kirkman.
Nicolas Cage in ‘Renfield’.Michele K. Short / Universal Pictures
This is Cage’s second entry in the bloodsucker genre after 1988’sVampire’s Kiss.
That’s a tone that director Chris McKay and I were trying to go for with Nick Hoult.
Parks and Recreationalum Schwartz portrays a local gangster named Tedward Lobo, whose criminal activities are thwarted by Hoult.
Nicholas Hoult in ‘Renfield’.Michele K. Short / Universal Pictures
“I play the son of a very big crime syndicate [boss],” says the actor.
But he’s not a good person."
When Tedward first encounters Dracula, the undead count almost strangles the mobster to death.
Ben Schwartz in ‘Renfield’.Michele K. Short / Universal Pictures
“A joy, an absolute joy!”
“And we can make this the headline of the article.
‘An absolute joy to be strangled by Nick Cage.’
Awkwafina in ‘Renfield’.Michele K. Short/Universal Pictures
It was awesome.”
The cast ofRenfieldalso includesShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsstarAwkwafina.
“There were, I think, four different looks.
Director Chris McKay and Nicolas Cage on the set of ‘Renfield’.Michele K. Short / Universal Pictures
The good news was, they still managed to let the eyes communicate.
I remember talking with Chris McKay about it.
“The best thing we ate were the crickets,” he says.
“The crickets were like smoky bacon flavor and salt and vinegar.
I love salt and vinegar, so I was happy about eating the crickets.
Youwouldoccasionally get little bits stuck in your teeth.”
Cage famously ate a couple of cockroaches forVampire’s Kissbut did not indulge in such snacking this time around.
As it happens, EW has brought a tray of dead insects to today’s get-together.
Before Cage leaves, does the actor care to sample one?
“I do not,” says the Oscar winner.
“I’ve learned to move on from that.
Ben’s going to go for it,” he continues, indicating his costar.
“Whatever Nick Cage doesn’t do, I will not do.”
“It’s a good way to live your life,” says Cage.
“What would Nick do?”
Renfieldis in theaters now.
Watch the fullAround the Tablewith theRenfieldcast and filmmakers above.
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