This is Vecna, a demonic monster from Dungeons and Dragons whose terrifying appearance is Jamie Campbell Bower. Shortly after Vecna appeared in the series and began to intimidate Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), the Duffer’s were quick to declare that the creature was not CGI, but that multiple practical effects had been used to gain physicality, paying homage to the horror of 80s cinema in the process.
According to them, Vecna is 90% realised through prosthetics, make-up and other practical effects. To prove it, and to keep the conversation going until 1 July (a couple of previews of the highly anticipated Volume 2 have already been shown) Netflix has released a behind-the-scenes video where we can see the process that leads Campbell Bower to become Vecna. It’s 39 seconds of fast-motion video, where we see the actor waiting patiently in the chair, surrounded by make-up artists, while answering calls, looking at his mobile phone or drinking coffee.
I can’t talk right now, I’m turning into Vecna”, we read in the publication. Each day the performer had to undergo 7.5 hours of make-up to become the monster, thanks to the good offices of Barry Gower. And who is Barrie Gower? Well, the make-up artist behind the most traumatic moments of Chernobyl and the Night King in Game of Thrones. A true eminence, who has managed to ensure that the new enemy of Stranger Things will remain in our retinas for a long time to come.
After the tremendous uproar caused by the new instalment of Stranger Things, actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna, has decided to apologise for all the problems that his character caused to the viewers and the main characters of this beloved series.
Through Netflix’s Twitter account, the British actor appeared in a black trench coat and with a serious look on his face decided to give a message to the public:
“Hello everyone, my name is Jamie Campbell Bower and today I’m here to apologise,” the blond actor began, “I know there are a lot of people upset with me, but my apologies aren’t just for you, it’s for all the victims of this.”
Lucía Domínguez
