Sat Dec 21 15:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Wisconsin Native Willem Dafoe Slays Vampires in New “Nosferatu” Remake

**Appleton, WI** – Acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe, a Wisconsin native who honed his craft in Milwaukee, stars as vampire hunter Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated remake of the classic horror film, “Nosferatu.” The film, hitting theaters on Christmas Day, marks Dafoe’s second foray into the world of Nosferatu, following his Oscar-nominated role in 2000’s “Shadow of the Vampire.”

In a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Dafoe reminisced about his early love for horror films, crediting the Viking Theatre in his hometown of Appleton and Milwaukee’s Downer Theatre for shaping his cinematic tastes. He also highlighted the formative role of Milwaukee’s Theatre X, an experimental theatre group where he worked after briefly attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This early experience, he explained, instilled in him a unique ability to balance character portrayal with the technical demands of filmmaking – a skill crucial to his performance in “Nosferatu.”

Dafoe described the film’s director, Robert Eggers, as a singular filmmaker who prioritizes meticulous set design and precise camerawork. This approach, he said, fosters a collaborative spirit among the cast and crew, demanding precision and raising the stakes for each performance. While the film draws from the classic vampire hunter archetype, Dafoe portrays Professor Von Franz as a nuanced occultist who explores the darker aspects of life to appreciate the light, offering a unique perspective on the age-old vampire myth.

Dafoe’s latest collaboration with Eggers, his third, underscores a shared artistic vision and a working relationship characterized by mutual respect and creative challenges. The actor praised Eggers’ ability to draw out his best performances and create immersive, historically rich yet contemporary films. The new “Nosferatu,” he emphasized, is not merely a remake but a personal and innovative retelling of the classic story, seen through the eyes of the female protagonist, Ellen (played by Lily-Rose Depp).

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