Nicolas Cage Transforms into Dracula with 3D Printed Dentures for ‘Renfield’ Movie

One of the most awaited flicks to soon be coming to cinemas is “Renfield”, wherein Nicolas Cage is set to star as the legendary vampire Dracula. The supernatural comedy-horror will be retelling the classic novel from the perspective of an insane asylum patient, played by Nicholas Hoult. The Oscar-winning actor has been making headlines for his dedication to the role, including having his teeth shaved down. But what really interested us, is that the infamous dentures that were designed to give his character a unique and eerie look were actually 3D printed.

According to reports, Cage spent three hours a day transforming into the character, including applying prosthetics, makeup, and hairpieces. The 3D printed dentures were made by a dental technician who used a digital scan of Cage’s teeth to create a customized fit. This allowed Cage to wear the dentures comfortably and realistically portray the iconic vampire’s fangs. This should perhaps come as no surprise as 3D printing technology has been used in the dental industry for years, providing a cost-effective and efficient way to produce dental prosthetics, crowns, and veneers. Moreover, in recent years, the technology has also made its way into the movie industry, allowing filmmakers to create intricate and lifelike prosthetics for their characters.

3D printed props are becoming increasingly popular in cinema (Photo credit: Universal)

In the case of Nicolas Cage’s Dracula movie, the use of 3D printed dentures is just one example of how the technology is utilized to create a more authentic and memorable movie experience. As mentioned, through the use of a digital scan of Cage’s teeth, the dental technician was able to produce dentures made of acrylic resins that fit his mouth perfectly, allowing him to speak and act naturally while wearing them. And though details have not been given about the actual 3D printing technology used, given the use of resin, it is likely that it was some sort of photopolymerization process, already popular in dentistry.