Morbid Network | Wondery Episode 615: Vampire Talk with Doug Jones Release Date: November 4, 2024

Introduction to Doug Jones

Hosts Ash and Elena welcomed the esteemed guest, Doug Jones, to this special episode of Morbid. Celebrated for his iconic roles in films such as Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Hocus Pocus, Doug is affectionately dubbed "the nicest monster in Hollywood." The hosts expressed their admiration, noting that Doug's friendly demeanor made scheduling the episode twice a challenge due to his accommodating nature.

Elena [02:51]: "Doug Jones is an absolute icon, to be perfectly honest. And also, we can also say that he is the nicest monster in Hollywood because 100%, we have had to reschedule this pod twice because of just various shenanigans that occurred."

Doug Jones’ Journey in Hollywood

Doug humbly discussed his extensive career, attributing his success not to his own prowess but to the supportive network of creature effects makeup artists who propelled his career forward. He reminisced about his early days in Hollywood, highlighting his versatility and unique physical abilities, such as being a contortionist and a mime.

Doug Jones [04:22]: "My career has happened because of the graciousness and kindness of the creature effects makeup people. Honestly, if it wasn't for their referrals early on that propelled me to the next project and the next one and the next one..."

He shared amusing anecdotes about his first commercial roles, including a dancing mummy for Southwest Airlines and a talking alien doll commercial for A World of Wonder Toys. These experiences cemented his reputation for reliability and adaptability in the industry.

Collaborating with Guillermo del Toro

A significant portion of the conversation delved into Doug's collaboration with renowned director Guillermo del Toro. Doug lauded del Toro's visionary approach and his ability to connect with actors on a personal level, fostering an environment where creativity thrives.

Doug Jones [10:08]: "They say don't meet your heroes, but he is one you would absolutely love to meet because he will live up to all of your dreams and expectations of who he is."

Doug recounted specific instances from Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, illustrating del Toro's unique directing style that blends humor with meticulous attention to detail.

Portraying Baron Alphinas on What We Do in the Shadows

Doug expressed immense love for his role as Baron Alphinas on the final season of What We Do in the Shadows. He touched upon the emotional aspect of bidding farewell to a character that brought him joy amidst a demanding career.

Doug Jones [13:05]: "Playing Baron FNS has been the joy of my life after this 38-year career of mine that I have behind me, with more coming ahead, of course."

He highlighted the duality of his character, blending humor with classic vampire tropes, and how the show managed to satirize and pay homage to traditional vampire lore.

The Making of Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror

One of the episode's focal points was Doug's role in the upcoming film, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. He provided an in-depth look into the film's creation, emphasizing its unique approach to remaking the classic silent film Nosferatu.

Film Creation and Aesthetic Choices

Doug explained the challenges and artistic decisions involved in integrating black-and-white cinematography with modern filmmaking techniques. The use of green screen technology allowed for a seamless blend of the original film's environment with contemporary visuals.

Doug Jones [22:24]: "David Lee Fisher, our director, is a technical wizard who made this all magic happen."

He detailed the meticulous process of matching movements and scenes from the original Nosferatu with the new footage, creating an ethereal and dreamlike quality that honors the source material while introducing fresh dialogue and soundscapes.

Character Development and Performance

Delving into his portrayal of Count Orlok, Doug shared his approach to balancing the character's menacing presence with underlying humanity. He discussed the physical demands of the role, including extensive prosthetics and makeup designed by Mike Elizalde of Spectral Motion.

Doug Jones [35:30]: "Mike Elizalde, a very talented artist who owns the creature shop Spectral Motion, did this."

Doug recounted the serendipitous nature of his casting, stemming from a decade-old project that prefigured Nosferatu, and how his long-cherished dream role finally materialized.

Doug Jones [35:57]: "David Lee Fisher calls me up one day and says, hey, if you don't want to do this, I won't do it. But I have this idea. Would you want to ever do Nosferatu like we did Caligari? And I was like, you have been reading my dreams."

Exploring Vampire Legends: The Tale of Conscious

Transitioning from his professional experiences, Doug entertained the hosts with a unique vampire folklore story titled "Conscious". This narrative from Polish folklore recounts the tragic tale of Johannes Conscious, an alderman who allegedly sold his son to the devil, leading to his vengeful ghostly manifestations.

Narrative Highlights

• Conscious’s Downfall: The story begins with Conscious enduring a life filled with sin, culminating in his unconscious state after an accident. His confession of making a deal with the devil sets the stage for his post-mortem haunting.

  Doug Jones [37:27]: "Conscious’s body was perfectly preserved. But it had to stink, though."

• Supernatural Acts: Post-death, Conscious engages in an array of malevolent activities—vomiting fire, turning milk into blood, and unsettling the town's residents with his foul odor and aggressive hauntings.

  Doug Jones [42:42]: "He was very smelly. Do you know that every year over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes?"

• Resolution: The townspeople's futile attempts to contain him by burying him properly lead to more chaos until they ultimately destroy his body, ending his reign of terror.

Audience Engagement: Character Games

In a lighthearted segment, Doug participated in a game where he was asked to compare fictional characters:

1. Who Would Win the Hunger Games?

   • Doug's Choice: Baron Alphinas, citing his supernatural abilities and strategic prowess.

2. Who Would Successfully Take Over the World?

   • Doug's Choice: Nosferatu, due to his stealthy and manipulative nature.

3. Who Would Have the Biggest TikTok Following?

   • Doug's Choice: Billy Butcherson, leveraging never-seen-before dance moves to captivate audiences.

Doug Jones [51:19]: "Billy would win because a scene that you did not, that you never saw from Hocus Pocus... I did the..."

Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Doug enthusiastically shared insights into his upcoming roles, highlighting:

• Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror: Premiering on October 18th on Apple TV, offering a modern take on the classic tale with added dialogue and a haunting visual style.

• Final Season of What We Do in the Shadows: Scheduled to start on October 21st, where Baron Alphinas will reprise his role in a few episodes.

• Hocus Pocus 1 and 2 Features: Billy Butcherson will be featured as part of a double feature on Freeform, with nostalgic scenes teased.

• Indie Projects: Including a zany comedy, Operation Taco Gary's, and a role in the show Blue Ridge.

Doug Jones [55:57]: "I'm loving this phase. And one of them is a funny movie called Operation Taco Gary's obsessed zany comedy..."

He also expressed gratitude towards the hosts and affirmed his passion for his craft, leaving listeners excited for his future endeavors.

Conclusion

This episode of Morbid offered an intimate glimpse into Doug Jones' illustrious career, his collaborative experiences with visionary directors like Guillermo del Toro, and his dedication to bringing complex characters like Baron Alphinas and Count Orlok to life. The storytelling segment enriched the discussion by delving into vampire folklore, showcasing Doug's versatility and depth as an actor. Engaging and insightful, this episode is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts and fans of Doug Jones alike.

Notable Quotes:

• Elena [02:51]: "Doug Jones is an absolute icon... the nicest monster in Hollywood."
• Doug Jones [10:08]: "Guillermo del Toro is one of the most visionary, brilliant artists in the world."
• Doug Jones [35:57]: "David Lee Fisher calls me up... you have been reading my dreams."
• Doug Jones [51:19]: "Billy would win because... I did the..."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 02:27 - 04:04: Introduction and welcome of Doug Jones.
• 04:22 - 07:35: Doug’s early career and first commercial roles.
• 10:08 - 12:27: Working with Guillermo del Toro.
• 13:05 - 17:07: Final season of What We Do in the Shadows and emotional reflections.
• 17:07 - 29:44: In-depth discussion on Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.
• 29:44 - 43:25: Storytelling segment on the vampire folklore of Conscious.
• 43:25 - 55:00: Upcoming projects and audience engagement games.
• 55:00 - 59:46: Closing remarks and final thoughts.

Listening Information:

To listen to Episode 615: Vampire Talk with Doug Jones, subscribe to Morbid on the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or other major podcast platforms. Join Wondery Plus for early access and an ad-free experience.