Why Robert Eggers Didn’t Film ‘Nosferatu’ at Dracula’s Famous Castle

Writer and director Robert Eggers, of the upcoming Nosferatu remake, has recently shared that he decided not to film at Bran Castle. This particular castle is the iconic Transylvanian fortress often linked to the real-life Vlad the Impaler. Eggers instead chose to film at  Hunedoara Castle (Corvin’s Castle) in Romania. 

Eggers’s Nosferatu reimagines the classic 1922 silent film by F.W. Murnau, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, which tells the story of an ancient vampire (Count Orlok) haunting a young woman (Ellen Hutter) in 19th-century Germany. This film was first released in Germany in 1922, and seven years later, in 1929, it debuted in the United States. This was primarily due to a legal dispute over the unauthorized use of Dracula’s story. 

While Bran Castle is widely recognized as “Dracula’s Castle,” Eggers felt that Hunedoara Castle better captured the Gothic essence. He explained to Vanity Fair that Hunedoara might have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, noting its spires and architectural decay as a likely model for Castle Dracula, and emphasizing its strong ties to Transylvania.

Not to be confused with Hotel Transylvania, where monsters escape the stresses of their world at Count Dracula’s (voiced by Adam Sandler) luxurious resort, without the interference of humans. Eggers’ Nosferatu dives deeper into Gothic realism, offering a darker and more haunting portrayal of vampire lore.

Eggers’ choice reflects his dedication to reshaping Nosferatu with a fresh yet historically grounded Gothic vision. Known for his work on The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), he once again prioritizes authenticity by selecting locations that honor history. By stepping away from traditional Dracula lore and exploring the overlooked influences behind Stoker’s Dracula, Eggers is crafting a film that feels both timeless and innovative, paying homage to Gothic cinema while reimagining it for contemporary audiences. 

The film will release on December 25, 2024. Starring in the remake are Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures and Focus Features.