Robert Eggers, days away from the opening of his film The Lighthouse, is setting his sights on his next feature project, The Northman.
Eggers is going back to a historical setting with the film, described as a Viking drama that is being set up at New Regency. Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Skarsgård, and Lighthouse star Willem Dafoe are in various stages of talks to act in the saga.
Lars Knudsen, who produced Eggers’ breakout The Witch as well as Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Midsommar, is again producing the project. Skarsgard was said to have approached Eggers with the initial idea for the story, and will also serve as a producer.
Written by Eggers and Icelandic poet and novelist Sjón, Northman is described as a grounded story set in Iceland at the turn of the 10th century that centers on a Nordic prince who seeks revenge for the death of his father. If talks progress and deals go through, Skarsgard would play the prince and Kidman would play his mother.
Skarsgard, who appeared in Big Little Lies, has Kong vs Godzilla as his next Hollywood tentpole, and recently nabbed the part of Randall Flagg in CBS All-Access’ adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. Kidman, who also appeared in Big Little Lies, portrays Gretchen Carlson opposite Charlize Theron in awards season contender, Bombshell. Taylor-Joy recently wrapped a starring turn in Last Night in Soho for Edgar Wright and will next star in Working Title’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. She is repped by CAA, Troika, and Felker Toczek.
Robert Eggers and Alexander Skarsgård’s The Northman likely won’t be in production for a little while, but if you’re interested in this duo’s work, it would be best to check back now and then for more news in the coming year.
