Christoph Waltz opens up about his involvement in the upcoming Gothic romance fantasy film Dracula, directed by Luc Besson, highlighting the fresh approach that distinguishes this adaptation. Waltz, who portrays a relentless priest determined to end Dracula’s reign, shares insights into what drew him to the project and how this version differs from traditional portrayals. The film, set for release in United States theaters on February 6, 2026, centers on a 15th-century prince cursed with eternal life who transforms into the immortal warlord Dracula, intent on reclaiming his lost love at any cost.
A Distinct Storytelling Approach by Luc Besson
Waltz emphasizes that this Dracula is not the usual retelling but rather Luc Besson’s unique interpretation that uses elements from Bram Stoker’s original work while telling an entirely new story. He explains that the project evolved from conversations about the story’s potential and purpose, which naturally led to his participation as an actor. This fluid evolution from script discussion to performance allowed Waltz to engage deeply with the material and the creative process.
“That it is not the usual iteration of — or, yet, another addition of what we’ve seen so many times before. It’s Luc’s story. It’s Luc’s Dracula, by usage of elements from Bram Stoker. That helps the story, of course, because that’s what the story is. But it’s more than a version. It’s really his story. The conversation about that is what sort of facilitated my involvement in the — yeah, in the way, discussion about what this story is and what it could be. My participation, as an actor, kind of emerged. I love that fluid transition from conversation into action.”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
The Innovative Visual Elements of the Film
The film incorporates imaginative features, such as stone gargoyles and a love potion, which Waltz notes are unlike any elements seen in previous Dracula adaptations. These gargoyles, far from being purely digital effects, were performed by small acrobats on set, delivering a live-action spectacle that surprised the cast and crew. Waltz stresses the importance of experiencing these effects firsthand, cautioning against audiences becoming jaded by knowing too much about behind-the-scenes technology and digital manipulation.
“Yes! It’s unbelievable. Everything you see on a screen, I saw while watching the shoot of this scene. It’s absolutely incredible. They did it! All of a sudden, people came from the ceiling, and then jumped back up onto it, and flipped each other over. It happened there. It was even more spectacular because this contortion that our fantasy was exposed to by presumably understanding the digital process of movie-making. It’s really such a pity that they push that half-expert insider, presumably insider knowledge, onto the audience. Now, we’re jaded and say, ‘Yeah, yeah, well.’ No! You should have been there. It really happened as you see it. They just changed the appearance of the individual characters, but the action happened live.”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
An Actor’s Exploration of the Priest’s Complex Character
Waltz describes his excitement about exploring the priest character as an active and evolving process rather than delivering a fixed performance. He values the journey of discovery and creative exploration that comes with early script drafts, emphasizing his commitment to engaging with the material in a dynamic way. This approach aligns with director Luc Besson’s collaborative method, which includes involving actors early in the creative process to discover and shape the story together, rather than simply following a rigid script.
“Thank you for saying the word explore, because that’s really what I’m looking for when I read a script. I’m not really, especially if it’s an early draft, I’m not really looking for a product that can then just be flipped over into a performance. We’re always talking in terms of results. It’s not the right approach. We should be talking about progress. About the process. About what we will do. About the options and possibilities. About what there is on the offer and about where we can engage in active participation.
The result will be at the end. After the result, there is nothing anymore, right? I cannot deliver a result. I can participate in the process. That’s what I’m looking for.” — Christoph Waltz, Actor
Waltz appreciates Besson’s openness to collaboration and his absence of ego-driven direction, explaining that this openness fosters a creative atmosphere where actors can contribute meaningfully to the narrative building. He makes clear that the director’s vision is clear, but Besson allows room for exploration, enabling the film to come alive through an interactive process on set and during editing.
Luc Besson’s Collaborative Direction Compared to Other Filmmakers
Reflecting on his previous work with acclaimed directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo del Toro, Waltz notes that each director brings a distinct style to their projects. However, he highlights Besson’s particular strength in collaboration and humility, contrasting it with the ego that occasionally influences other filmmakers. Waltz stresses how Besson focuses on gathering material to be shaped in post-production rather than trying to enforce a rigid result during filming, allowing for a more flexible and artistic workflow.
“Luc does not approach making movies from a dominating ego. He’s very open to collaboration. And he doesn’t need to impose one specific point of view, because he has it. He knows how to cinematically direct the rest around himself into that flow. I keep saying, when you shoot, you’re not really — as I’ve mentioned before — producing a result. You’re kind of assisting in the collection of material that the director needs to make his movie. The movie is not made in front of the camera. The movie is made on the editing table with what has been supplied from what happened in front of the camera. That can only happen if it was present as words on a page in a script. This is how all they all do it, but Luc is a lot less of an ego-driven person than anyone that I’ve worked with.”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
Anticipating the Impact of This Unique Dracula Tale
As Dracula approaches its February 2026 release, the film’s fresh narrative viewpoint and innovative production elements are poised to offer audiences a compelling new perspective on the iconic character. Waltz’s thoughtful exploration of the priest’s role and Besson’s unorthodox direction could redefine expectations for this classic Gothic story. Fans of the Dracula mythos and newcomers alike can look forward to a blend of fantasy, romance, and intense drama that distinguishes itself from previous adaptations and expands the mythology in bold, imaginative ways.
