- The role as a braindead blond model in the American succes comedy Zoolander 2001 was not one off.
- Alexander Skarsgård, 32, has in 2008 started to lay Hollywood at his feet.
- In the HBO-series "Generation Kill" he held his head cold as sergeant Brad "The Iceman" Colbert and in Alan Ball's celebrated "True Blood" he plays a bloodthirsty vampire.
There is a new Skarsgård in town.
”When I got the part I became a little scared”
If anyone could ever nod yes to the Marit Bergman feel good hit “This is the Year” during 2008 it’s Alexander Skarsgård. After “Generation Kill” and “True Blood” he now films the movie “13” with among others Ray Liotta and 50 Cent.
- Of course it's damned great that it has loosened. But I believed in my own talent all the time, he says when Nöjesbladet meets him in New York.
Actually Alexander Skarsgård's life started to go in tune with "This is the year" already in 2007. That was when he landed the role as the command Brad "The Iceman" Colbert in the HBO-series "Generation Kill" and also went to Africa for an almost year long filming.
But it was this year the realistic, intrusive drama about a Marine core platoon on mission in Iraq, was shown - and became a success.
"Incredibly proud"
- I had high expectations and they were met. I am incredibly proud of "Generation Kill" he says during a late breakfast in a messy café in Soho in south Manhattan.
The filming was no easy tango for the 32 year old Stockholmer.
- I was supposed to be a stone hard marine core soldier and also an American. And then I had the leading role. I had after all never done anything like that before, he says.
Up for proof
- It was nerve wrecking. While they were casting the roles I didn't think so much about it, at that time I was forced to have self confidence. But when I had landed the job, I got a little scared. Suddenly I had a 500 mill budget on my shoulders, it was up for proof.
- I got a little excited too, though. This was the reason I had been here for four years, to get an opportunity like I got.
To play vampire in "True Blood" - also an HBO-project - seemed to be less complicated.
Liberating Fabio-wig
- "Generation Kill" is closest to my heart of all the things I've done, I love that project, but after having walked around in camouflage clothes for a year and been this laconic, dry marine core soldier, it's incredibly liberating to get to put on the Fabio wig and act out, Skarsgård laughs.
- "Generation Kill" was extremely documentary and dry and real, while "True Blood" is...much sexier, with soundtrack and songs and cliffhangers and love. I can take out the extremes much more. It's of course a benefit to work on those contrasts.
"Liked the script"
And now the Skarsgård year is tied together with "13" - a re-make of a French movie about a bunch of cynical billionaires who put money on Russian roulette.
- I have a small part, but I liked the script and since I was able to squeeze it in before we start filming second season of "True Blood" I accepted. I felt this was a movie I wanted to be in.
That's the kind of choices he can make now, Alexander.
That's the reward for four years of hard work in a Hollywood that in principle is a never ending long row of meeting and auditions and disappointments for everyone else than the biggest stars.
- Of course it's damned nice that it has finally loosened, but I was actually never very stressed, he feels.
"Like a pyramid"
- I have all the time believed in my talent and felt that sooner or later there would be a project that was right for me.
That project came and now...yes, what happens now?
- My existence has changed a lot. This world is build up like a pyramid and I have taken one step up. I don't have to prove what I can anymore. Now my goal is to reach a level where I get direct offers and can live where I want to, for example with my family home in Stockholm. Or anywhere.
It sounds like a certain Marit Bergman-hit [the song mentioned earlier in the article] could be the soundtrack for more years of Alexander Skarsgård's life.
Alexander Skarsgård
This years ...
... cd: I think the Glasvegas-record is damned good.
... film:"Let the right one in".
... reading: "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz.
... tv:I haven't seen much tv, but I look at "Mad men" from time to time. It's good.
... concert: I saw Vampire Weekend last week, it was damn good.
... moment: It was probably in the beginning of the year, in a taxi in my way home from Arlanda [Stockholm airport] to Söder after having been to Africa on filming for a year. It was a really pissy day. You know, one degree plus. Snow mixed with rain. The taxi driver sat and complained over not having seen the sun for three months. And in the back seat I was just so fuuuuuuucking happy. I thought every small thing was fantastic. Just to see Ica Maxi [supermarket chain] was wonderful. The license plate on an old Saab made me cry. Incredibly strong... I get so fucking homesick when I come home.
Name: Alexander Skarsgård. Age: 32. Profession: Actor. Lives: Los Angeles. Family: Dad Stellan Skarsgård, mum My, four brothers and a sister. Brother Gustaf is also an actor. Income: 35 800 (income year 2007). Currently: Has roles in the series "Generation Kill", as vampire in the tv-series "True Blood". Is currently filming the movie "13" with among others Ray Liotta and 50 Cent.