Willem Dafoe Explains Why He Keeps Working With Visionary Directors

Willem Dafoe says his latest film Late Fame reflects a lifelong fascination with artists who pursue creativity without chasing recognition. Speaking while promoting the drama, the Oscar-nominated actor also explained why he repeatedly works with filmmakers such as Robert Eggers and Yorgos Lanthimos, saying he looks for directors whose passion is intense enough to challenge him as a performer.

Late Fame explores what happens when forgotten talent is rediscovered

Directed by Kent Jones and adapted from Arthur Schnitzler's novella, Late Fame follows Ed Saxberger, played by Willem Dafoe. Once an aspiring poet, Ed abandoned his artistic ambitions years earlier and settled into an ordinary life working for the postal service. His quiet routine changes after a younger generation discovers his early poetry and suddenly treats him as an overlooked literary figure.

Dafoe said the character reminded him of many people he met during New York City's experimental theatre movement. Some devoted themselves entirely to art during their youth without expecting fame or financial success before eventually moving into everyday careers. That personal connection made the role feel authentic rather than nostalgic.

Why Willem Dafoe keeps returning to directors like Robert Eggers

One of the most talked-about moments from Dafoe's interview came when he explained how he chooses projects. Instead of selecting films based only on commercial appeal, he looks for filmmakers with a strong creative vision. He said, "If I give myself to a director, I want it to burn hot," describing the kind of artistic commitment he values when stepping onto a film set.

That philosophy helps explain his long-running collaborations with Robert Eggers. After first working together on The Lighthouse, Dafoe returned for The Northman and Nosferatu. He is also expected to reunite with Eggers in the upcoming film Werwulf. According to Dafoe, directors who fully understand the worlds they are creating give actors the confidence to take creative risks.

Yorgos Lanthimos represents the kind of creative challenge Dafoe enjoys

Dafoe also praised Yorgos Lanthimos, whose films are known for unusual storytelling and emotionally unpredictable characters. Their collaborations in Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness demonstrated Dafoe's willingness to embrace unconventional roles instead of repeating familiar performances.

Rather than searching for comfortable characters, Dafoe said he prefers directors who create demanding environments where actors must fully commit. He believes those experiences often produce the most memorable performances because they require complete trust between filmmaker and actor.

Late Fame is about purpose as much as recognition

Although the film follows a man whose poetry finally receives attention decades after it was written, Dafoe believes the story is less about celebrity than about identity. Ed Saxberger must decide whether renewed recognition changes who he really is or simply reminds him of a passion that never completely disappeared.

That emotional conflict gives the film a broader message about creativity, aging, and personal fulfillment. Instead of presenting fame as the ultimate reward, Late Fame asks whether artistic satisfaction can exist even without public recognition.

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