Nosferatu director Robert Eggers clarifies the real number of rodents used during production, correcting that it's way more than what he initially revealed. The upcoming 2024 horror remake of F.W. Murnau's 1922 German Expressionist horror feature tells the story of vampire-hunting Professor Albion Ebert Hart von Frank (Willem Dafoe) as he seeks to help young couple, Thomas and Ellen Hutter, be rid of the malevolent Count Orlok's influence on them. True to his prior movies, Eggers has brought a largely practical approach to creating Nosferatu's world, including previously teasing having used 2,000 real rats for a scene involving Dafoe.
Eggers speaks to Deadline about the shocking number of rats in the castle, revealing there were "5,000 real rats," and they were "well-trained." The director further explains that the rats in the foreground of the film are "real," but when they "thin out" into the background, they become "CGI rats", though Eggers does recall it wasn't an entirely pleasant experience to film. Check out what he said below:
There’s 5,000 real rats, so basically if there’s rats in the foreground, they’re real, and then they thin out and become CG rats in the background. And they were well-trained. I didn’t know that rats are incontinent, so the smell is insane.
The Filmmaker Went To Great Lengths To Film Nosferatu
It's no joke about the lengths Robert Eggers went to bring viewers an authentic experience of a horror film. In the same interview, the director also revealed that they crafted over 60 sets for the film, building almost every single interior. Extreme care and attention to detail has gone into creating the 2024 Nosferatu remake, and this little detail speaks loudly about it.
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Nosferatu's story is set in 19th century Germany, a time when using candles as a source of light and having rodents in the castles were the normality. Using 5,000 live rats shows the respect the production team for the film's historical setting. Instead of using technology to streamline the production process, it seems that Eggers is separating himself as a director by focusing on the craft of filmmaking. Having 5,000 rats instead of 2,000 also means that the level of discomfort in the castle scene is even higher than imagined.
Our Take on Nosferatu's Practical Production
Can't Wait To Watch It
Aside from live rats, Nosferatu has a star-studded cast that sparks intrigues. Dafoe's vampire hunting professor is one of the strong reasons why the film is so highly-anticipated. On top of that, Dafoe is joined by Bill Skarsgård (John Wick: Chapter 4, IT), who plays the undead Count Orlok. Deadpool & Wolverine's Emma Corrin and The Fall Guy's Aaron Taylor-Johnson star as Anna and Friedrich Harding, and The Idol's Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter, a young woman who's haunted by Skarsgård's vampire.
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Eggers' upcoming horror film is no doubt one of the most anticipated horror movies of 2024. His take on the classic vampire story will be slightly different, by taking a deeper dive into the story and taking an interest in Depp's character. From live rodents to real candles to using a real-life haunted castle, Nosferatu, which is coming to theaters on December 25, is nothing like a regular feature movie.
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
Release Date December 25, 2024
Studio(s) Regency Enterprises , 1492 Pictures
Distributor(s) Focus Features , Universal Pictures
Character(s) Count Orlok , Ellen Hutter , Thomas Hutter , Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz , Friedrich Harding , Anna Harding , Knock , Dr. Wilhelm Sievers , Dockhand , Head Nurse
English (US) ·