Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård returns to his Viking roots as Prince Amleth in the long-awaited drama, The Northman, where he takes on double duty as star and producer.

Helmed by writer-director Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse), who co-wrote the script with longtime Bjork collaborator and Golden Globe nominee Sjon, this project is about the legend of Viking prince Amleth (the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet), who sets out to avenge his father’s murder.

With a reported budget of $70 to $90 million, Skarsgård’s passion project took the last 10 years to get made. The filming took place in Ireland from August to December 2020, in various locations.

Skarsgård spoke to IMDB.com in a Q and A with fans. Like all films Viking-related, much bloodshed, carnage, and visceral rage are the order of the day. It’s a testosterone-fueled culture in which atavism and freebooting reign supreme. In recalling the details of the shoot, he chuckles. “It was a muddy, bloody haze.”

The battle scenes have been praised for their gritty realism, and Skarsgard’s bare-chested, enraged 6’4” prince, complete with a wolf pelt resting atop his head, cuts a terrifying image.

“The long fight scenes were really exciting to shoot because they’re shot in a long, continuous take, so it was quite challenging to get that right,” he explains. “We had to work on it for months before shooting it. Doing that was exhausting and frustrating but incredibly rewarding when you finally nail it and everything works. Both behind and in front of the camera [when the shot was completed], it was a celebration – [it felt] like we’d just won the Super Bowl.” He smiles. “It was just the most amazing atmosphere on set.”

The film is spoken in English, with sprinkles of Old Norse and Old East Slavic. “I speak Swedish. Obviously, Old Norse is related. But a lot of it is different,” Skarsgard explains. “You think you’re almost getting it … but not quite.”

The epic historical saga reunites Skarsgård with his Big Little Lies and Golden Globe winner Nicole Kidman, his former onscreen wife. This time, their relationship is very different (one would hope), as mother and son.

Claes Bang plays Fjölnir, the uncle who murdered his father, King Aurvandill, portrayed by Golden Globe nominee Ethan Hawke. The film also stars Golden Globe winner Anya Taylor-Joy, Golden Globe nominee Willem Dafoe, and Golden Globe nominee Björk.

Skarsgård is a Golden Globe winner who earned a trophy in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television film for Big Little Lies, in 2017. He is known as well for True Blood, The Legend of Tarzan, Melancholia, and the Little Drummer Girl. He currently has a recurring role in the Golden Globe-winning TV series Succession.

The Northman experience gave him one very specific unforgettable moment. “It was a formidable cast but shooting a scene with Björk was probably the highlight of the entire shoot. It was in a burned-out barn with a full moon behind Björk’s head,” he recalls. “It’s been 17 years since her last film [Dancer in the Dark], so it was such a privilege to share that with her. It really was a very humbling experience, for sure.”