Willem Dafoe Asked To Helm Thriller ‘Inside’

By now, you know there is nothing Willem Dafoe can’t do on screen. From Aquaman’s mentor to the Antichrist, or the detective of American Psycho or Gill the old school fish of Pixar fame, the dude has range! However, if fans have a favorite portrayal of his, it’s when he acts a little south of even, a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

He has played as the court jester in The Northman. What about Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse? And then, there’s that Green Goblin character. He even played Vincent Van Gogh. Characters one and all–each nuttier than a squirrel turd.

Cinephiles love and respect Willem Dafoe for how he allows his imagination to take over a role. Naturally, when we hear he signed up to be featured in a thriller movie, glee is the only suitable emotion.

Focus Features calls Inside a “psychological thriller” about the story of Nemo (ironic, isn’t it).

He is an “art thief trapped in a New York penthouse after his heist doesn’t go as planned. Locked inside with nothing but priceless works of art, he must use all his cunning and invention to survive.”

Inside features the directorial debut of Vasilis Katsoupis. The movie was his idea provided to Ben Hopkins, who wrote the screenplay. As for production, Giorgos Karnavas was asked for that, largely because he won the Cannes Palme d’Or for Triangle of Sadness.

According to the Focus Features news release, both Katsoupis and Karnavas are stoked about having Willem Dafoe lead this film.

It’s a dream to have made this film, the way we wanted to, having the privilege to work with Willem and all these amazing filmmakers that supported us. Focus is the perfect place for the film, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.

If he is trapped in any place by himself, there’s no telling where Dafoe’s imagination will take this character and cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs actions we’ll see. Regardless, this should be fun. Inside is slated for theatrical release March 10, 2023.