Renfield's Ben Schwartz on How "Bananas" It was to Work With Nicolas Cage as Dracula
47In director Chris McKay’s very long-time coming Dracula sequel, Renfield, Hollywood icon, Nicolas Cage, plays the classic vampire count, opposite Nicholas Hoult as the deeply devoted titular servant. Taking a very bloody yet comedic approach to this timeless tale, Renfield also stars Ben Schwartz, best known for his stand-up comedy, as Jean-Ralphio in Parks and Recreation, and as the voice behind the title character of the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies. During the junket ahead of the movie’s release, Collider’s own Steve Weintraub sat down with Schwartz to discuss what it was like for him to portray a heavily tatted, gun-toting baddie.
Though the movie focuses on, well, Renfield, Schwartz’s character, Tedward “Teddy” Lobo, is a wannabe crime lord who poses a threat to the city of New Orleans. While he may not be the highest-ranking criminal, or even the greatest danger considering Cage’s Dracula is on the prowl, Collider’s Maggie Boccella says Schwartz is “a phenomenal scene stealer” in her review from the Overlook Film Festival.
In their one-on-one, which you can watch in the video above or read below, Schwartz talks about his character’s head-to-toe ink, how people reacted to it when he went out on the town, and how much input he got as far as what tattoos Teddy sports in the movie. He admits to geeking out with Cage on set and comments on the “Hollywood icon’s” commitment to the role, the challenges they faced filming with so much practical blood, and tons more. Schwartz also shares details on upcoming projects like Die Hart 2: Die Harter with Kevin Hart, whether we’ll be seeing Jim Carrey in Sonic 3, and being the first improv performer (maybe?) at Radio City Music Hall.
#Renfield #BenSchwartz #Sonic3
For interviews, movie reviews, and more visit https://collider.com
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
https://twitter.com/collider
https://instagram.com/collider
https://facebook.com/collider