Another new name has been added to the cast ofRenfieldand along with this announcement comes some new plot details. As the title of the film suggests, the Universal movie will primarily follow Dracula’s henchman as the lackey finally slips into more of the central role. With Nicholas Hoult in the lead role, the movie will also feature Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, and Ben Schwartz. Now, it’s been reported that Adrian Martinez (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,Focus) has just boarded the cast as well.
PerDeadline,Renfieldwill center 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). Martinez will play the role of Chris, Rebecca’s traffic cop partner. These roles also confirm that this will be a modern take on the Dracula story, bringing the vampire and Renfield into the present day for this reimagining.
Adrian Martinez can be remembered for various movie roles includingFocuswith Will Smith and Margot Robbie,The Secret Life of Mittywith Ben Stiller, andCasa de mi Padrewith Will Ferrell. Lately, he’s been featured in a main role on ABC’sStumptownand had a role in the Bella Thorne thrillerMeasure of Revenge. Martinez is also stepping behind the camera for the new release of his directorial debut filmiGilbert, in which he also stars.
Related:Nicolas Cage Teases a Funny and Unique Dracula Performance in Renfield
Renfield Is a Horror Comedy With the Emphasis on Comedy
This is a Dracula movie at heart, but that’s not to say it’s going to be a straight horror film. Given thatAwkwafina had been announced for a major rolealongside the news that Nicolas Cage would play Dracula, it had started to become clear that this may be more of a comedy. Cage recently confirmed as much while speaking about the film, noting that the hope is to strike the right balance between comedy and horror.
“What makes it super fun is that it’s a comedy. And when you get that tone right — comedy and horror — likeAmerican Werewolf in London, it’s a blast. It’s got to be a bullseye," Cage said. “But that’s what I’m looking for, something new to bring to the character, and also that perfect tone of comedy and horror.”
Renfieldis based on an original story outline byThe Walking DeadandInvinciblecreator Robert Kirkman. Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War,The LEGO Batman Movie) is directing the feature using a screenplay by Ryan Ridley (Ghosted,Rick & Morty). McKay is also producing with Skybound Entertainment’s film team, which includes Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst. Samantha Nisenboim is exec producing.
Universal has not yet set an official release date forRenfield, but as the ensemble cast of the movie continues to take shape, some official announcements from the studio shouldn’t be too far off.
