Finn Wolfhard Reveals Hilarious Fact About Working with Willem Dafoe In ‘The Legend Of Ochi’

April 28, 2025: Actor and musician Finn Wolfhard recently opened up about his experience working alongside the legendary Willem Dafoe in their new film, The Legend of Ochi.

The movie, an A24 production, follows a young girl, played by Helena Zengel, on a journey to return a forest creature to its family, something she had been taught to fear. Wolfhard, who stars in the film, shared some candid insights about working with Dafoe, whose acting career spans several iconic roles, including his portrayal of Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin) in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man.

In a recent interview, Wolfhard revealed that it was initially difficult to separate Dafoe’s well-known portrayal of the infamous Spider-Man villain from his role in The Legend of Ochi. “For the first few days, it was hard not to see Norman Osborn,” Wolfhard said, referring to Dafoe’s memorable role as the villainous father of Harry Osborn in the 2002 Spider-Man film, and his return to the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. “He’s so iconic in that role,” Wolfhard added.

Despite the initial difficulty of seeing Dafoe as anything other than the Green Goblin, Wolfhard was quick to recognize the immense talent the actor brings to every project. When asked what stood out most about working with Dafoe, Wolfhard immediately pointed to his unmistakable voice. “Whenever I would hear his voice, I’d be like, ‘Oh, my God! He’s real,'” said Wolfhard. “His voice is so iconic, and his acting is so legendary. He’s in every movie of all time.”

Wolfhard, who made his directorial debut with Hell of a Summer—currently in theaters—also emphasized the significant impact working with Dafoe had on his understanding of acting. “I really got to watch him, and through watching him, I feel like I learned a lot about acting and the craft of acting,” Wolfhard said. “He’s just always been someone who I think is in it for the art of it.”

The Legend of Ochi has garnered attention for its enchanting storyline and stunning performances, and it’s clear that working with Dafoe left a lasting impression on Wolfhard. Dafoe’s commitment to his craft continues to inspire actors like Wolfhard, who has been able to appreciate Dafoe not just as a legend in Hollywood, but as someone who has much to teach the next generation of actors.

The film is now playing in theaters and has been praised for its emotional depth and heartwarming narrative. With performances from both Zengel and Dafoe, The Legend of Ochi is shaping up to be a memorable addition to the A24 catalog.