Nicholas Hoult received Nosferatu prosthetic penis as souvenir, marking one of the most unconventional wrap gifts in film history. The surprising keepsake, linked to a memorable scene from the recent Nosferatu remake, was none other than the phallic prop worn by his co-star Bill Skarsgärd, unveiled to the public in a shadowy shot that stirred both laughter and embarrassment on set. Hoult discussed this with Empire Magazine, revealing the peculiar experience of filming and eventually accepting the odd artifact at his own home, a moment that added humor to the film’s otherwise intense production.
A Scene to Remember: On Set with Bill Skarsgärd
During the filming of Nosferatu, Hoult found himself involved in a particularly awkward scene alongside Bill Skarsgärd, who portrayed Count Orlok. The scene required Skarsgärd’s character to overpower Hoult’s Thomas Hutter in a chilling and highly stylized moment, which included the now-infamous prop. Hoult recounted how difficult it was to maintain the necessary sense of horror, because he could not contain his laughter at the situation he found himself in during these takes, especially given the presence of the prosthetic.
“I received the penis because there’s a scene where it suddenly cuts to a wide angle, and you see Orlok/Bill on top of me, drinking my blood,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
He described how, in the process of creating the chilling atmosphere required for the film, the absurdity of the prop intruded, leaving him struggling to remain serious.
“And whilst we were doing that scene, the way that Bill was moving, I could feel the prosthetic on my leg. And whilst we were rehearsing I couldn’t stop giggling. So that was why I had… interactions with the prosthetic.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
The Funniest Wrap Gift: Arriving Home with the Unusual Prop
The sense of embarrassment did not end after the cameras stopped rolling. When the film wrapped, Hoult was surprised to receive the prosthetic at his home, calling it
“probably the funniest wrap gift I’ve ever been given.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor. But the laughter did not stop there. Displaying such a unique object posed its own set of challenges once the framed item arrived broken in the mail.
He explained what followed when he had to seek repairs for the display.
“The best thing was when it got shipped back to my house, the frame broke, so I had to take it into a frame shop. And as I unwrapped it the guy looked at it like, ‘…What is going on here?’”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Faced with a curious framer and the unusual object, Hoult described their exchange:
“To be fair, he took it in his stride considering that I was like, ‘Hey, we need to fix the frame of this penis that I’ve got mounted,’”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor. The story grew funnier when recollecting the pickup:
“And when I went back in to pick it up all he said was, ‘Is this some kind of… collector’s piece?’”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
The Film’s Edgy Approach and Star Performances
This latest Nosferatu, featuring Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter and Bill Skarsgärd as the menacing Count Orlok, deviated from the restraint of the 1922 original by pushing boundaries both visually and thematically. The sexualized horror stood out as a new element for the franchise, culminating in striking images such as the prop which has now found a place on Hoult’s wall. Lily-Rose Depp also starred, playing a woman who unwittingly forges a psychic link to Nosferatu, intensifying the sense of dread that the film aimed to capture.
The production, filmed with the involvement of actors like Lily-Rose Depp and supported by performances from Hoult and Skarsgärd, sought to unsettle audiences, adding a layer of discomfort and modern sensibility to a classic horror tale. The playful behind-the-scenes stories contrast sharply with the movie’s dark tone, giving fans a peek at the human element amid gothic horror.
Critical Success and Continued Popularity
Upon its release, Nosferatu enjoyed both critical acclaim and box office success, surpassing expectations for a horror revival. Its daring stylistic choices and performances by Hoult and Skarsgärd earned special mention from critics and fans alike. Now available to stream at home, Nosferatu continues to attract new viewers, with curious fans turning to Peacock to catch both the film’s intensity and the brief, infamous silhouette that sparked Hoult’s unique souvenir tale.
The film remains a talking point not just for its story and performances, but for the camaraderie, humor, and surprising souvenirs that endured beyond the set. Hoult’s display of the prop at his house serves as a playful symbol of the boundary-pushing filmmaking that marked Nosferatu’s latest adaptation and cements its place as a contender for one of the most memorable movie wrap gift stories in recent memory.
