Stellan Skarsgård has at all times been a gifted, well-respected actor, however the previous couple of years have put him into a complete different stratosphere, particularly in sci-fi. For starters, he’s the game-changing Star Wars hero Luthen Rael on Andor. As Erik Selvig, he helped Thor across multiple Marvel movies. He danced throughout Greece within the Mamma Mia films (not technically sci-fi however we love them anyway), and watched as 4 of his children turned profitable actors, two of whom (Alexander and Bill) have grow to be icons themselves.
Oh, and Skarsgård additionally stars because the gruesome, evil, gargantuan villain Baron Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Half One, and now Dune: Half Two, out on Friday.
Talking to io9, the legendary actor mentioned getting ready to return again to the world of Dune, how Villeneuve is totally different from all the opposite filmmakers he’s labored with, his appearing household, Andor, and if a seasoned veteran like himself can inform if a film he’s in is any good or not.
Germain Lussier, io9: So I just talked to Dave [Bautista] a few minutes ago and I requested him what it was like working with you in full costume and make-up. He mainly mentioned you went by means of hell and everybody was very respectful of that. Would you agree with that description?
Stellan Skarsgård: I went by means of hell, yeah. Nevertheless it was a really pleasant hell. It took eight hours of 5 individuals engaged on me within the morning they usually have been pretty associates of mine. And there have been a few of the finest individuals within the enterprise, prosthetics. So I had a good time on the similar time.
io9: Okay, good. Glad to listen to that. Have been you ever frightened, or did you ever assume, that Half Two wouldn’t occur? As a result of clearly, it was a chance when Denis and Warner Bros. made the primary one.
Skarsgård: I don’t assume I had it in my thoughts as a result of I do know he’s a incredible filmmaker, Denis. And he has beloved this undertaking [for a] very lengthy [time]. He’s carried it since his childhood. So the primary one can be good, then if it will be a business success—we don’t know. And Warner Brothers made a giant mistake as a result of they launched it on streaming concurrently within the theaters.
io9: Properly, fortunately, all people will get to see this one within the theater. They usually’re going to see a Baron fairly set in his methods. Was there something you have been excited to discover with the character this time that you simply didn’t get in Half One?
Skarsgård: Properly, in Half Two he’s a handicapped man and he’s looking for some succession within the enterprise. However I didn’t actually make a psychological character the way in which you do typically. I imply, I don’t cope with the finer psychology of him. He’s purported to be a thriller to some level and to be menacing. And also you don’t know why.
io9: Over your profession, you labored with so many unimaginable filmmakers. What makes Denis Villeneuve totally different or distinctive, as a filmmaker, having labored with so many individuals on this enterprise?
Skarsgård: Good filmmakers, they’re distinctive as a result of they’re distinctive individuals. They usually’re all totally different. Completely different characters, totally different temperaments. And Denis has a really pretty and candy temperament, and it’s a pleasant set to be on. There’s no person screaming and all people’s skilled. They do what they need to do. And you’ve got a variety of enjoyable making the movie. He’s joking. And he is also creating on the set. He doesn’t type of fill within the blanks that he’s determined at his desk or one thing.
io9: I’ll come again to Dune however I’m a Star Wars nerd and Andor is unimaginable. Luthen Rael is immediately a top-tier Star Wars character. And I do know you may’t say a lot, or something, about what’s taking place subsequent—however I needed to know, what was the expertise like filming the second season? And are you glad with the place the story takes you?
Skarsgård: I’m glad the place it goes, yeah. It’s such good writing and it’s Tony Gilroy. I actually wish to say his traces.
io9: Oh I can solely think about. Thanks. Again to Dune, the Baron doesn’t actually get to see most of the different actors within the movies till the ending of this one. Inform me a bit about capturing that massive throne room scene with so most of the fundamental forged.
Skarsgård: Properly, if I hadn’t been so fats, I’d have thought it was enjoyable. Nevertheless it was incredible to see these individuals for the primary time. Most of them I hadn’t seen throughout the two movies. So it was superb.
io9: And clearly you bought an important second with Mr. Chalamet on the finish of there. What was it like figuring that scene out and going for that?
Skarsgård: That was high-quality. I imply, the one factor I had with him and the primary time I see him, he’s [SPOILER REDACTED]. I don’t have a really good expertise.
io9: Talking of, inform me a bit concerning the goo. What’s it like? Have they got a temperature setting? Is it simply chilly and depressing? What are you able to say about it?
Skarsgård: They make it possible for it’s heat sufficient for you. Nevertheless it was type of colder than the air temperature as a result of it was extremely popular in the summertime and in Budapest at the moment. So it felt good. I didn’t need to have my cooling equipment on. Nevertheless it’s not likely oil—it’s water and gelatin, I believe. After which it’s some oil that’s black on high of it. And I don’t dare ask what’s in it. I’ve accomplished it.
io9: Now, if I’m flipping by means of the channels and I see Good Will Looking, I’ll at all times watch it to the tip, regardless of the place it’s. It’s an unimaginable film and also you’re nice in it. And also you’ve been in so many unimaginable films like that. For those who see one thing that you simply’ve been in, on TV or one thing, do you watch it or are you able to watch it?
Skarsgård: I imply, after 20, 30 years, I type of watch it normally, however I don’t significantly like to observe myself. It’s not that I’ve one thing in opposition to it, however I’m too important and I type of say, “Oh, fuck, I may have accomplished that, that would have been a lot lighter.” I’m too important.
io9: Are you want that with your loved ones too? As a result of a number of of them have gotten large stars in their very own proper. Are you important? Is there delight? What’s it like watching them?
Skarsgård: I don’t know. I imply, I can’t… I’m actually joyful that, I imply, I believe I’ve 4 or 5 of them [who] are actors now.
io9: [Laughs] Sure.
Skarsgård: However I’m actually joyful once I meet individuals within the enterprise they usually say that they have been good to work with. Then I really feel actually proud. However type of, success within the trade? It’s not that essential.
io9: Having skilled that success although, I’m curious, at what level have you learnt if a film is sweet or not? Is there ever a second within the course of when you may inform if a sure undertaking is working or not?
Skarsgård: Who is aware of? I imply, you may’t know. Generally you learn a script and say, “That is good.” Like Breaking the Waves I learn and I mentioned, “That is good. That is magic.” After which you may belief [director] Lars von Trier to make one thing out of it that’s acceptable. However you may’t inform if it’s going to be successful on the field workplace or something. Or critically. You may’t inform. However you may say “This pursuits me.” And that’s all I can say concerning the issues that I’m in. And you may be serious about it for various causes, too. As a result of it’s a movie that has by no means been made earlier than, and you discover it very fascinating, and perhaps nobody will see it—nevertheless it’s enjoyable to be part of.
io9: Very cool. And that is my last item. I’ve a prop right here. I don’t know in the event you’re conscious that Lego made the first-ever Dune set. Have you ever seen any of this?
Skarsgård: No.
io9: [Hands over photo] That is your determine on the far proper.
Skarsgård: [Laughs]
io9: I used to be simply curious in the event you’d seen it as a result of everyone seems to be loving the Long Baron.
Skarsgård: Sure, I like him very a lot. He stands out.
Watch the Baron stand out in Dune: Half Two, out Friday.
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