Nicholas Hoult recently shared an amusing tale about an unusual gift he received from Robert Eggers, the director of Nosferatu. The gift? A prosthetic penis worn by Bill Skarsgård during his portrayal of Count Orlok in the film. In a recent video for Elle, Hoult revealed that the director sent him the prop to commemorate their time working together on the film.
“I have Count Orlok’s prosthetic penis framed at home,” Hoult stated while chatting with his Nosferatu co-star Lily-Rose Depp. He recounted a moment on set when his character, Thomas Hutter, interacts with Orlok during a dramatic scene. “There’s a scene where Bill Skarsgård is slurping my blood and Robert Eggers asked, ‘How was that for you?’ … And I said, ‘I could feel his prosthetic penis on my leg.’”
A Strange Keepsake
The unusual gesture was Eggers’ way of giving Hoult a memorable reminder of the filming process. “Rob got it framed and sent to my house,” Hoult explained. However, when the prop arrived, it wasn’t in perfect condition. The frame had broken during transit, forcing Hoult to visit a local frame shop to get it fixed.
Hoult humorously recounted the awkwardness of explaining the situation to the framer. Initially, the man didn’t seem phased, but when Hoult returned to collect the piece, things took a turn. “He kind of didn’t even blink the first time, and then when I went back to pick it up, I think he had clocked how weird it was — what I was framing, potentially, like, this vampire penis?” Hoult laughed. “And he was like, ‘Is this some kind of collector’s piece?’”
To which Hoult responded, “Yeah, you could say that.”
Behind the Scenes of Nosferatu
The prop, which is one of many prosthetics used to transform Skarsgård into the nearly unrecognizable Count Orlok, adds to the extensive effort that went into the film’s iconic horror imagery. In interviews, Skarsgård shared how he prepared for the role by studying with an opera coach to lower his voice an entire octave. This voice modification helped shape Orlok’s eerie, haunting tone, which was integral to the character’s presence.
The film itself, which reimagines the 1922 silent classic Nosferatu, sees Hoult portraying Thomas Hutter, an estate agent who unwittingly finds himself entwined with the vampire’s dark world. In one pivotal scene, Orlok becomes intrigued by Hutter after the latter accidentally cuts himself, bleeding in front of the vampire. The addition of prosthetics and makeup helped create the chilling look that made Skarsgård’s portrayal so effective.
Nosferatu Hits Theaters
With Nosferatu now in cinemas, audiences can experience the horror film that has captured attention for its haunting visuals and unique approach to one of cinema’s most iconic characters. The film opened on December 24, 2024.
For more updates on Nosferatu, stay tuned to Vviptimes.
Sources: Elle, Entertainment Weekly
