Alexander Skarsgard on 'Melancholia,' 'Zoolander' together with a 'True Blood' Mnage Trois

Alexander Skarsgard knows he cannot be the scoundrelly yet, sometimes, amiable, vampire Eric Northman forever. That isn't saying he's not loved his time on 'True Blood' he's, even if that does include filming an periodic ménage à trois with real-existence couple Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin. But more youthful crowd recognizes that ongoing to see the versions of Eric Northman he's continuously offered -- "without any fangs," he confesses -- is, as Skarsgard puts it, "creative suicide." Basically: nothing a Lars von Trier movie won't fix. In 'Melancholia,' Skarsgard plays Michael, a man we meet at that time he's set to marry Justine (Kirsten Dunst), until every single component that may wrong within a marriage does fail. Clearly, everything happens before they learn the rouge planet -- named Melancholia -- is around the collision course with Earth. Moviefone spoke to Skarsgard in what it's prefer to get recent results for the questionable director, his strategy to head off being typecast just like a vampire, the nuances of filming a threesome getting a genuine existence couple, and the way 'Zoolander' changed his existence forever. This is often a fucked up movie. Yeah, it's. It's pretty fucked up. While you are reading through the script, is always that everything you were thinking? I'm speaking about, it's a Lars von Trier movie, therefore it's really a little romantic comedy in regards to the finish around the world. You play, unquestionably, the good thing of the movie. It absolutely was fun because Eric on 'True Blood' is certainly an alpha male. Which we shot this soon after we wrapped season three, therefore i had spent seven several days being Eric plus it am fun doing a thing that was different. Is always that what came you to definitely certainly this? No. I'm speaking about, Lars von Trier came me in it. I'm speaking about, it's a no-brainer. Whatever he wanted me to accomplish, I'd did. I really do think that this shows a half way realistic have a look in an amount happen if another planet would smash into Earth. I'm speaking about, Bruce Willis doesn't remove in the spaceship can offer relief. [Laughs] No. Or even he's, but we're not due to the fact. And basically the confusion from this all. Like, "Just what the fuck is? What is happening?In . This is often a hard movie to request queries about. It's a hard movie to go over. Why? I am unsure, it is so... [breaks] It absolutely was this type of amazing experience shooting it, which is tough to describe, with techniques. It absolutely was so different. And [von Trier] is really unconventional the means by that they comprises a film. What's unconventional about him, within your opinion? The means by which, like, you're so free. It's so liberating, with techniques. You will discover no tape marks you have to hit or 45 minutes of lighting since it must look beautiful. It's all regulated controlled real. And you also shoot a good deal -- there's hardly any ready. And you'll appreciate it, he doesn't be worried about continuity. What scene stays out because respect? Well, day one was the limo scene. And Lars was like, "Everybody, you're stuck, you discuss that for a while, after which it Alex will escape the limo to help the motive pressure.Inch Which I had been like, "Sure, which argument do you want me to depart?In . And Lars just examined me and was like, "I am unsure. You must do anything you like.In . Which is the thing that was so liberating. Becoming an actor, is it possible to take the exact same thing far? Well, I felt as if you are absolve to do anything you like. And he'll reign it in if not working. But you have to believe freedom becoming an actor. You have to believe confidence will have the ability to do whatever I'd like. You play an extremely popular character on 'True Blood stream.' Lots of people have carried out popular figures on television and frequently it eventually ends up haunting them. From the Lars von Trier movie and 'Battleship,' you'll be able to plan in place which means you are unfamiliar as Eric Northman the comfort from the existence? Or you wish to be known to as that? Well [breaks], it's less as being a new job or possibly a method which i've. It's more... I would like that. Like, creatively. Clearly, after 'True Blood stream,' I buy plenty of scripts that behave like 'True Blood' or similar to Eric Northman -- because people desire to pigeonhole you. It is therefore the identical character, in a movie set or whatever. To start with, clearly it is a bad new job to accomplish this, because then you definitely certainly become that. You're going to get typecast doing that forever. That's creative suicide. But it's also, personally -- I'm not likely to carry out a good job essentially take action I've done 25 occasions before. Because I won't be inspired I won't be advised. There's nothing because script or because role that I'll uncover. I'm speaking about, it's already there, I realize things i am doing. I'll visit and I'll appear and I am likely to be whatever I've been in the last 'X' volume of years. So this is why I positively look for males like Michael in this particular movie, who's so unique of Eric Northman. Are you currently presently offered other vampire roles? Not other vampire roles, and surely plenty of roles that are similar to Eric Northman, even though they are not vampires of the underworld from the underworld -- but kind of the identical type. Basically Eric Northman, however with no fangs. Virtually the identical guy. I'm curious simply how much input you've in this particular: Throughout the initial season of 'True Blood stream,' I came across Eric just a little frightening, however appear like there's some thing desirable about him in recent seasons -- even when he's doing something frightening, I still wish to be uncle. It may be hair. Well, that's things i loved relating to this. When people watch something, they're lazy. So they wish to label the figures. Oh, "the hero." "The woman.In . "The villain." And so they relax which is very convenient, you understand? And a few things i loved about Eric -- It's my job to love when it's because existence is a lot more complicated than that. In movies, It's my job to love when there's darkness inside the protagonist. You understand? And there's goodness inside the antagonist. When there's really a grey zone than black and white-colored. A Few Things I love about Eric is always that if you meet him, he's introduced as "the villain." As well as the audience is similar to, "Okay, perfectly, here's the evil sheriff." However, before lengthy, you're like, "Oh, wait about a minute, that was kind of nice, why did he do that?In . Which I really like that, that people required to revisit, "Oh, shit, well, really, maybe he is not just the villain." But, clearly, when people go to a vulnerability he or she is weak and sensitive and kind and loyal... it's difficult, because you still want him being dangerous he's still a predator -- and that means you can't emasculate him a lot of. I realize love moments on set aren't not professional. But can it be whatsoever different when the other a couple in the scene are married in solid existence? Not always. We're good pals and professional stars. The Three people. And then we know very well what we're doing. Which is like, I like Anna [Paquin] to dying, but Steve [Moyer] clearly sees that our friendship is very innocent. So, sometimes it's more awkward if you don't know them. Steve recognizes that i'm not just a threat. Well, I'd be considered a lot a lot more like, "Oh, I am hoping I'm not imposing." Nah. And Steve was very sweet before we have got straight into everything stuff. He mentioned in my opinion, "Dude, The most effective you to definitely certainly understand that I wish for you to know this which is not awkward whatsoever. I like we all know there's nobody I'd favour carrying out these moments with Anna and me because we're pals. It is not awkward whatsoever and I am not going you to definitely attend because then that'll be strange. Like, do what you ought to do.Inch It absolutely was very great of him to convey that. Exactly what are your recollections to complete 'Zoolander'? That was the very first American movie, For me. It absolutely was my first job. I used to be here on vacation which i were living in Sweden. I used to be here on vacation likely to my dad and also the manager was like, "Do you want to go and look for an audition and discover how it's like?" I used to be like, "Oh, that's fun. I'm in Hollywood and i'm happening an audition." Plus it been 'Zoolander.' I used to be sufficiently fortunate to have it. It absolutely was surreal. I used to be this kid from south Stockholm on vacation in Hollywood. 2 days later I used to be shooting a movie in Tribeca with Ben Stiller, you understand? And also you came back to Sweden and socialized there? Yeah. Because I used to be there on vacation. Which Used to do might got a realtor together with a manager because of 'Zoolander,' however was concentrating on stage in Sweden, therefore i came back to Sweden which i had been there for the next three or four years. So when you're on stage, you really don't truly have enough time -- you are employed six days each week. So there's virtually no time to go to L.A. and take conferences and study scripts and stuff. Consider I'd a realtor together with a manager, they basically mentioned, "When finished with your plays, seriously over and spend some time for any couple of days and try taking a little conferences. So that's how, in 2004 and 2005, I started heading to L.A. because I used to be like, "I have a realtor together with a manger, nonetheless they can't do shit personally at this time around because I'm in Sweden doing plays. But whenever I have got just a little break, I'm prone to get available and have a look. All because of 'Zoolander'... Yeah, it's strange. It's crazy that happened. Yeah, it is extremely fortunate... throughout my primary audition. You'll be able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook [Photo: Magnolia] RELATED