Filmmaker Michael Almereyda Reflects on 'Nadja' Restoration and Lost David Lynch Project

Almereyda discusses the extended director's cut of his 1994 vampire comedy, his work with Lynch on an unfinished Fantômas adaptation, and his upcoming Don DeLillo film 'Zero K'.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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In a new interview, filmmaker Michael Almereyda reflects on the restoration of his 1994 vampire comedy 'Nadja', which is getting a 4K re-release with three additional minutes of footage. Almereyda discusses the film's production history, including David Lynch's involvement as a financier, as well as his own work with Lynch on an unfinished adaptation of the Fantômas character that never materialized. The director also provides an update on his long-gestating Don DeLillo adaptation 'Zero K', which is preparing to shoot with cinematographer Sean Price Williams.

Why it matters

Nadja has long been considered a cult classic, but the film's limited availability has made it difficult for modern audiences to discover. This restoration not only provides a more complete version of Almereyda's vision, but also sheds light on his creative relationship with Lynch and the director's evolving approach to period filmmaking. The interview also offers a rare glimpse into Almereyda's upcoming adaptation of a DeLillo novel, further cementing his status as an innovative and thoughtful filmmaker.

The details

Almereyda explains that the three additional minutes in the new cut of Nadja come from restored scenes, including one featuring Peter Fonda's Van Helsing character and another with actor Jared Harris. He notes that the original release had trimmed these moments in an attempt to make the film more commercially viable, but that he now prefers the fuller, more atmospheric version. The director also discusses the challenges around licensing Portishead's music for the film, ultimately deciding to revert to the original score by Simon Fisher Turner. Additionally, Almereyda reflects on his work with Lynch on an unfinished adaptation of the Fantômas character, which would have shifted the period setting forward to the late 1920s to incorporate surrealist aesthetics.

  • Nadja premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in the early 1990s.
  • The film was released theatrically in October 1994 by October Films.
  • The 4K restoration of the extended director's cut is premiering at BAM in New York in 2026, ahead of a national rollout.

The players

Michael Almereyda

The director of Nadja and the upcoming Don DeLillo adaptation Zero K.

David Lynch

The filmmaker who personally financed the production of Nadja and had Almereyda direct a never-completed Fantômas adaptation.

Peter Fonda

The actor who played the dual roles of Van Helsing and Dracula in Nadja.

Jared Harris

The actor whose scene discussing the futility of Romanian politics was partially cut from the original release of Nadja.

Portishead

The band whose music was incorporated into the original theatrical release of Nadja, but has been removed from the new director's cut.

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What they’re saying

“I suspect I listened to that album, Dummy, as much as anyone, but I was fond of Simon Fisher Turner's full Nadja score, which got a bit trampled in the attempt to adrenalize the movie with Beth Gibbons and her colleagues.”

— Michael Almereyda, Director (thefilmstage.com)

“I'd like to think it's going to be the best movie I've ever made. Right? It's too soon to blurt out the cast, but Sean Price Williams will be shooting it and the locations are looking terrific.”

— Michael Almereyda, Director (thefilmstage.com)

What’s next

The 4K restoration of the extended director's cut of Nadja will premiere at BAM in New York in 2026 before rolling out to theaters nationwide.

The takeaway

This interview provides valuable insight into Almereyda's creative process and his longstanding collaborations with influential filmmakers like David Lynch. The restoration of Nadja's director's cut offers a more complete vision of the director's singular style, while his upcoming DeLillo adaptation suggests Almereyda continues to push the boundaries of independent cinema.