Willem Dafoe has sent social media into a frenzy after a behind-the-scenes TikTok showed him in a black sleeveless dress, green slippers and a chunky necklace. Posted on Saturday, 3 August by user ZoëBLEU, the clip was filmed during rehearsals for the 2023 film Gonzo Girl but never made the final cut. In the movie, Dafoe plays Walker Reade, a gonzo journalist inspired by Hunter S. Thompson, yet there is no scene of his character in a dress – suggesting the moment was a playful, off-camera tease.
Fans have been divided over the unexpected look. Some were shocked to see the Spider-Man villain swap his Green Goblin armour for something far softer, while others applauded his boldness and artistic range. On TikTok and Reddit, reactions ranged from amused disbelief to praise for breaking gender norms, with many hailing him as a fearless performer unafraid to push boundaries.
