Willem Dafoe’s Sizeable Asset Prompts Body Double in ‘Antichrist’, Reveals Director Lars von Trier

Willem Dafoe is a well-known actor, recognized for his roles in major films and as a favorite of Quentin Tarantino.

His performances are marked by remarkable talent and skill.

However, his noteworthy physical attribute, a considerably large member, has occasionally posed challenges during his acting endeavors.

During the production of ‘Antichrist', Dafoe's sizable anatomy led director Lars von Trier to opt for a body double in certain scenes.

This decision was influenced by concerns that Dafoe's distinctive feature could overshadow the intended focus of those specific sequences and potentially detract from the film's narrative.

Dafoe, who declined the use of a body double in past roles such as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home, found himself with no choice but to employ one for the intimate scenes in ‘Antichrist'.

His reputation for possessing a generous endowment has not only become a part of Hollywood folklore but has also presented challenges for his involvement in various cinematic projects beyond ‘Antichrist'.

The issue surrounding Dafoe's anatomy has been a subject of interest within Hollywood circles for over a decade.

The topic first gained attention following revelations made by director Lars von Trier during an interview related to the filming of ‘Antichrist'.

Given the film's explicit content and nudity, discussions surrounding Dafoe's physical attributes became inevitable.

In an interview, Dafoe acknowledged that Lars von Trier opted to utilize a p^rn actor as a stand-in for the scenes that necessitated it, emphasizing that the focus should remain on the characters and their development rather than on his anatomy.

Von Trier did not shy away from addressing the situation candidly during an interview with The Boston Phoenix.

He explicitly stated that Dafoe's substantial physical endowment necessitated the use of a body double for certain scenes, as it risked causing distractions and confusion among viewers.

This was not an isolated incident, as reported by Mel Magazine.

Dafoe recounted an experience during the filming of The Last Temptation of Christ, where his anatomy interfered with a scene depicting Jesus.

The actor humorously describes the efforts required to manage the situation, highlighting the challenges posed by his prominent feature during filming.

In another instance, while portraying Jesus on the cross, Dafoe's anatomy inadvertently disrupted the scene, prompting a humorous yet crucial intervention from the film's director, Martin Scorsese.

Despite encountering challenges due to his physical attributes, Dafoe's professionalism and dedication to his craft have consistently shone through, ultimately resulting in memorable performances on screen.