Summary
- Director André Øvredal wanted a new feel for his interpretation of Count Dracula, making him more animalistic and feral.
- The make-up for Dracula in "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" resembles Count Orlok from the 1922 film "Nosferatu," and is very different from previous suave and sophisticated versions of the character.
- Javier Botet, who plays Dracula in the film, is fully covered in intricate latex make-up for hours before filming.
Dracula returns! The Last Voyage of the Demeter starJavier Botet is the next in a long line of actors to don Count Dracula’s varied and ever-evolving make-up. Bela Lugosi brought the character to life in the first talkie to feature the undead Transylvanian back in 1931, but director André Øvredal wanted a new feel for his film’s interpretation of the iconic, mass-murdering monster.
Øvredal said in a new featurette, courtesy of Universal Pictures:
“I wanted our Dracula to feel different — more animalistic, more feral. Like an addict, he needs his blood. I wanted him to feel like he is fragile in a way, also desperate and dangerous. And Javier Botet is an amazing creature performer. He gives so much life to the character on set.”
Check out the new behind-the-scenes look at The Last Voyage of the Demeter in its entirety below:
The Last Voyage of the Demeter’s Dracula more closely resembles Count Orlok’s make-up in 1922’s Nosferatu, which is the unsanctioned film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. And the new make-up owes very little to the suave, sophisticated looks sported by both Lugosi and Hammer Film’s version of the Count — who was portrayed by Sir Christopher Lee. Today, though, the spotlight shines brightly on Botet as he literally steps into the cumbersome make-up.
Dracula’s Make-Up is Horrifying to Behold
The Last Voyage of the Demeter’s Javier Botet is no stranger to the horror genre. But the former Slender Man is definitely trading up, in terms of prestigiousness, as he immerses himself in a new, updated version of the iconic Count Dracula make-up. And Botet couldn’t wait to sink his teeth — oh, those wonderful, bloodthirsty puns — into the role he so desperately longed to play.
Botet said during the same featurette:
“When they started speaking to me about the project, I was like, ‘Oh, God, please. That's the one that I want to do.’ So, finally, I’m here playing Dracula. It’s a lot of hours of make-up. But it’s amazing how it looks.”
According to The Last Voyage of the Demeter’s lead make-up artist, Göran Lundström, every “millimeter” of Botet’s head is covered in the Dracula latex make-up. And it was quite difficult for Botet to deal with the arduous task of having the make-up applied — the actor spent upwards of five hours putting on the make-up before he could report to the film set. However, Botet insists the process was totally worth the reward that will manifest for audiences to behold on theater screens.
2023’s version of the Transylvanian’s make-up is much more intricate and complex than past depictions presented on the Silver Screen. And the combination of the final product mixed with Botet’s acting skills brought the Count to life in a terrifying way for co-star Corey Hawkins.
“He’s [Botet] just so good. The way he moves, the way he turns his neck. It was so frightening.”
Hawkins portrays the heroic Dr. Clemens in The Last Voyage of the Demeter, and he will have to square off against the vessel’s unwanted guest, Count Dracula. Fans can set sail to cinemas when the film opens on Friday, August 11.