George Clooney’s Dracula Audition Got The Ultimate Bad Reaction From Francis Ford Coppola, But I Think Horror Fans Would Agree It Was For The Best

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It’s common for actors to have bad auditions in Hollywood – just like sunshine and free snacks are always around. While a poor audition can sometimes hurt an actor’s career or a particular project, it’s not always a negative experience, especially when you look back on it later. For example, George Clooney recently shared a story about a particularly unsuccessful audition, and the feedback he received from Francis Ford Coppola was surprisingly blunt.

I was reading about something George Clooney recently shared – a story from about 35 years ago. He auditioned for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, one of the bigger horror adaptations from the 90s. Thinking about it, that film was pretty steamy for a horror movie, so it makes sense why a rising star like Clooney wanted in. But apparently, even with all his confidence, he didn’t quite impress Francis Ford Coppola. As Clooney told IndieWire, the Godfather director quickly brought him down a peg. He put it like this:

I went home and I thought I was really good. And Coppola called my agent and asked if I was drunk.

Okay, so the ER vet never actually *said* the guy was drunk, but honestly, I’d bet anything he was completely sober for that audition. I mean, Francis Ford Coppola directed some of the greatest films ever made, so I can’t imagine anyone would *want* to mess that up by showing up intoxicated. But I’m really wondering what George Clooney did during the audition that made the director call his agent with such a strong accusation. It’s just so intriguing! I’m definitely curious to know more, maybe there’s a full story somewhere.

More About Bad Auditions

– Patricia Arquette remembers some unsuccessful auditions, including ones where she auditioned with Tom Cruise.
– Elizabeth Olsen shares that her audition for the role of Daenerys in Game of Thrones was very uncomfortable and didn’t go well.
– Chris Evans reveals one particular movie audition that he still regrets, describing it as a truly bad experience.

The video doesn’t really show what part Clooney was trying out for. If he wanted the role of Jonathan Harkness – the one Keanu Reeves eventually got – it’s even stranger, because that character is very simple and direct. I can’t imagine any scenes where an over-the-top performance would have improved things.

If George Clooney had been auditioning for the part of R.M. Renfeld – a role that ultimately went to the raspy-voiced Tom Waits – then a somewhat unpredictable and improvised performance would be understandable, considering the character’s troubled and painful life. Otherwise, I really don’t understand it.

Why George Clooney’s Botched Dracula Audition Was Better For Horror Fans In The Long Run

Although George Clooney’s involvement likely improved the overall quality of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I suspect taking on a major vampire role in 1992 prevented him from later appearing in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking From Dusk Till Dawn in 1996. Given how perfectly he fits into that gritty, violent film, it’s hard to imagine it working with a different actor from the ’90s playing Tarantino’s brother.

While Dracula is generally considered the more important and respected film, and is more likely to be seen as a must-watch classic, if you asked me which movie I’d choose to watch purely for enjoyment, I’d pick From Dusk Till Dawn every single time. With a fantastic cast including Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Danny Trejo, Salma Hayek, and others, this heist-horror-comedy is a wild, adult-oriented thrill ride that’s entertaining from beginning to end. I’ve personally thought of it as one of the greatest vampire films ever made for almost 20 years now.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula, while I genuinely enjoy it, feels a bit slow-paced in comparison. It sticks closely to Stoker’s original story, though with some imaginative changes, and features strong acting, particularly from Gary Oldman, who gives a fantastic performance in several parts. However, the genuinely thrilling scenes don’t happen as often as they do in Rodriguez’s movie.

Plus, exactly zero Titty Twister strip clubs are to be found in Transylvania. I mean come on!

Regardless, George Clooney is doing quite well in his career. However, as someone who enjoys horror films, I wish he’d consider appearing in another horror movie before he stops acting completely. From Dawn Till Dusk, perhaps?

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2025-10-01 23:13