Renfield has added another familiar face to its ranks. Variety brings word that Ben Schwartz has landed a role in Universal’s upcoming Dracula spinoff.
Instead of focusing on Count Dracula himself, Renfield will center on the vampire’s mentally-unstable henchman. In Bram Stoker’s original novel, R.M. Renfield was a side character imprisoned at John Seward’s lunatic asylum. But unbeknownst to everyone else, he was secretly doing Dracula’s bidding.
Schwartz joins a cast that so far includes Nicholas Hoult as the title character, Nicolas Cage as Dracula, and Awkwafina’s mystery character. The full nature of Schwartz’s role is being kept under wraps as well. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s playing a mobster in the film. Schwartz and Awkwafina’s combined penchant for comedy currently has us wondering if Renfield will present a more lighthearted spin on the Dracula legend. Whatever the case, THR also reports that the film starts shooting in New Orleans in early 2022.
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Next year, Schwartz will once again lend his voice to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the titular blue speedster. He also has a role in the upcoming Netflix series The Afterparty, which kicks off in January. Earlier this year, Schwartz appeared in the Disney+ original movie Flora & Ulysses and also had a voice role in Hulu’s M.O.D.O.K. animated series.
Chris McKay is directing Renfield from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley. Robert Kirkman came up with the original story concept and will also produce the film through Skybound Entertainment alongside David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst.
Universal still hasn’t announced a release date for Renfield.
Are you excited to see who Schwartz is playing in the film? Let us know in the comment section below!
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