A symphony of horror echoes through the cinemas: Nosferatu, the remake of the 1922 silent film classic of the same name, has been showing in German cinemas for a few days now and is generating enthusiasm. The unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula still scares over 100 years later.
The scariest, of course, is the Phantom of the Night, which gives the film its title, played superbly by Bill Skarsgård. As it turns out, he wasn’t the first choice for the role. Although Skarsgård has already brought a legendary horror creature to life in Pennywise, another star was in the running first.
From the Harry Potter universe to Transylvania: Mads Mikkelsen was supposed to play the new Nosferatu
In the latest edition of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Skarsgård reveals that he first auditioned for the roles of Friedrich Harding and Thomas Hutter. At that time, director Robert Eggers was attached to Mads Mikkelsen as Count Orlok aka Nosferatu interested. But then things changed.
In fact, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Mikkelsen was considered as Nosferatu at one point. After all, the Danish actor is very popular in Hollywood when it comes to… Opponents in major franchises works: James Bond, Doctor Strange, Indiana Jones – he’s even been in the Harry Potter universe.
In the third part of the Fantastic Beasts spin-off series, Mikkelsen portrayed the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald, who would be visibly enthusiastic about Orlok’s manipulations. Speaking of manipulation: Before his Harry Potter debut, Mikkelsen was Dr. for three seasons. Lecter can be seen in the Hannibal series.
There’s no question: Mikkelsen would have made a great Orlok. But with his casting the film would have been different. Although Mikkelsen and Skarsgård are natural villain actors, they bring different approaches to their roles. This becomes clear, among other things, in the use of masks and costumes.
Where Skarsgård often disappears completely into a role and is barely recognizable between layers of make-up and dark clothes, Mikkelsen knows that Calm on his face can sometimes be the most threatening thing the camera captures. Actually perfect for the many uncomfortable Orlok encounters in the film.
Even more alternative Nosferatu castings: Daniel Day-Lewis and Willem Dafoe were also discussed
Maybe Nosferatu would have looked completely different. If we go back a step further, we find another actor that Eggers wanted to cast as a vampire: Daniel Day-Lewis. After The Silk Thread (2017), he went into (temporary) acting retirement.
In addition, Willem Dafoe was in discussion as Orlok, who had worked with Eggers on The Lighthouse (2019) and The Northman (2022). In the finished film he now appears as Prof. Albin Eberhart von Franz. You see, a lot can change during the making of a film.
Nosferatu – The Undead has been running in German cinemas since January 2, 2025.