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Filming Has Begun on ‘Renfield’

Filming on Universal Pictures’ upcoming film ‘Renfield’ has officially begun. The announcement comes directly from Nicholas Hoult, who will be starring in the titular role.

The announcement was later shared by Universal Pictures on Twitter.

Back in December, the film made headlines when it was announced that Nicolas Cage would be taking on the role of Dracula.

Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The Lego Batman Movie) is directing the film, with Ryan Ridley (Rick and Morty) writing the official screenplay, based on an original story by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead).

According to Deadline, the film will focus on Renfield (Hoult), who has grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey. The henchman finds a new lease on life and maybe even redemption when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina)

Along with Hoult, Cage, and Awkwafina, the cast for ‘Renfield’ also includes Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse), as Ella, one of the most feared crime lords in the city; Adrian Martinez (Stumptown), as Chris, Rebecca’s traffic cop partner; and Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog), who is appearing in a still undisclosed role. 

The character of Renfield was first introduced in Bram Stoker’s original 1897 novel Dracula, where he appeared as an insane asylum patient who eats living creatures to obtain the life force contained within their blood. It’s later revealed throughout the book that Renfield is under the influence of Dracula, who he serves in the hope of becoming immortal. He later turns on his master, who ends up killing him by breaking the man’s neck.

No official release date for ‘Renfield’ has been announced at this time.