Jamie Campbell Bower Reveals Unusual Preparations for His “Stranger Things” Role
Jamie Campbell Bower, who played young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, is nothing if not committed. In a recent interview, Bower proved just how dedicated he was to his intense role as Vecna, the sinister villain at the center of Season 4 of Stranger Things.
Bower shared insight into a disturbing method of preparation to channel the character. Speaking to PEOPLE, he revealed that he took photos of each of Vecna’s victims in preparation for his scenes.
I’d print them off, my next victim, and I would cross their eyes out and put them up on my wall. And I’d stare at them.
Bower’s preparation eerily mimics the way in which his character kills his victims in the show – each victim goes blind before they die.
View this post on Instagram
In addition to the photographs, Bower told PEOPLE that he spent a lot of time alone in “heavy, dark meditation” to place himself in Vecna’s headspace.
I would clear my mind and then have these phrases that I would just put in over and over and over again. Walking around late at night. Isolation on my own was always a good thing.
Bower also shared that music helped him connect with Vecna’s anger.
I used it to either reignite that or just kind of stay in a zone, and I would sit in sort of pitch black.
As previously reported, Bower recently revealed more details about the intense process of physically transforming into the character of Vecna. The costume required seven and a half hours to complete its full-body prosthetics, followed by 10 to 12 hours of filming. Vecna’s voice, impressively, was not edited with technical effects. The actor was able to lower his voice enough for the role on his own.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Bower shared that he didn’t spend much time with the show’s main cast until after filming wrapped.
I think it was probably more helpful for them because they didn’t know what to expect from Vecna and what to expect from me.
However, Bower did share several scenes with Millie Bobby Brown, who portrays Eleven on Stranger Things. The pair bonded quickly, and Bower believes their connection “was an amazing, instant vibe.”
Season 4 of Stranger Things released its second volume on July 1, with a fifth and final season in the works. Vecna still looms large after the finale, so fans can expect Jamie Campbell Bower to return.
What do you think of Bower’s unique preparation tactics? Let us know in the comments!
