Summary
Upon starring in an upcoming 2024 horror movie,Willem Dafoewill officially join an exclusive group of actors that might have also included Anya Taylor-Joy if it wasn’t for unfortunate scheduling conflicts. In the last few years,Willem Dafoe’s best performanceshave included Thomas Wake inThe Lighthouseand Green Goblin inSpider-Man: No Way Home.Most recently, Dafoe has graced the big screen as the quirky scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter, inPoor Things.Yet, Dafoe has had a long career, so it’s no surprise that he recently earned a very elite label.
Throughout his career, Dafoe has proven his wide range of talent.Dafoe has played villainsand strange supporting characters,but he has also played major figures such as Jesus Christ inThe Last Temptation of Christand Vincent van Gogh inAt Eternity’s Gate.Due to his ability to play characters large and small with equal commitment,Dafoe has become a frequent collaborator with various directors, like Wes Anderson, Abel Ferrera, and Paul Schrader. Now, Dafoe has become a true favorite of one specific director.

10 Best Willem Dafoe Movies, According To Ranker
Willem Dafoe is a legendary actor with an incredibly diverse filmography. Movie lovers at Ranker have picked out the best work of his career.
Nosferatu Ties Willem Dafoe With Ralph Ineson For Robert Eggers' Most Frequent Collaborator
Dafoe & Ineson Starred In 3 Eggers Movies
After appearing as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz in 2024’sNosferatu,Willem Dafoe is now one of Robert Eggers' most frequent collaborators. Of the four movies Eggers has directed, Dafoe has been in three of them. In 2019, Dafoe starred as lighthouse keeper Thomas Wake inThe Lighthouse,alongside Robert Pattinson. A few years later, in 2022, Dafoe played Heimir the Fool inTheNorthman.Now, in 2024, Dafoe will feature in another Eggers movie as part of thecast ofNosferatu.
Kate Dickie is another actor considered a frequent collaborator of Robert Eggers. She has appeared in two of his movies,The WitchandThe Northman.

There is only one other actor that has also appeared in threeRobert Eggers movies, and that is Ralph Ineson. Ineson first appeared in Eggers' debut feature film,The Witch,as William. In 2022, he took on the role of Captain Volodymyr inThe Northman.Finally, like Willem Dafoe, he is making his third collaboration with Eggers in 2024’sNosferatuas Dr. Wilhelm Sievers. Throughout Robert Eggers' many star-studded casts,Willem Dafoe and Ralph Ineson have proved themselves to be the most pivotal collaborators.
Anya Taylor-Joy Dropping Out Of Nosferatu Lost Her Chance To Tie Willem Dafoe
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Schedule Kept Her From This Title
Notably, one other actor might have joined Dafoe and Ineson as Robert Eggers' top collaborator if not for scheduling conflicts. Originally, Anya Taylor-Joy was supposed to star inNosferatubut due to her busy schedule, she was forced to drop out. If Taylor-Joy had remained in theNosferatucast,it would have been her third collaboration with Eggers, alongsideThe WitchandThe Northman.Now, the actress will have to wait until Eggers' next movie to joinWillem Dafoein this exclusive club of actors.