Gustaf Photoshoots and Interviews 2018+

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Not really anything new.  But fun read none the less.   

Meet 'Vikings' star Gustaf Skarsgard, the other Skarsgard brother from the acting dynasty

By Stephanie Nolasco | Fox News



Gustaf Skarsgard is aware his last name easily grabs attention.

The 37-year-old is the brother of 41-year-old Alexander Skarsgard, of “True Blood” and “Big Little Lies” fame, as well as 27-year-old Bill Skarsgard, who scared the living daylights out of theatergoers this year as a demonic clown in the blockbuster horror film “It.”

Their father, Stellan Skarsgard, also happens to be a beloved actor in their native Sweden, too, as well as their brother Valter Skarsgard.

But Gustaf has already made a name for himself in Hollywood. He stars as the religious zealot Floki in History Channel’s “Vikings,” which has been compared by many viewers online to HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” The series was renewed for Season 6 before its fifth season premiered last week.

Fox News spoke to Gustaf about facing sibling rivalry, his worst audition and what fans can expect from Season 5:

Fox News: What compelled you to join the family business?
Gustaf Skarsgard: Well, when I was 6 years old, there was no family business. It was just dad. People always think that I came from this dynasty of actors. But that’s not true because it was just dad. So as a child… I got to try it out really young… and I really loved it. I pretty much made my decision back then to become an actor. And then more and more of us have joined the trend. So now we’re definitely an acting family.

Fox News: Was there ever a point in your life where you wondered if acting was the right choice for you?
Skarsgard: Not until I pretty much graduated from drama school. That’s when I was like, ‘When did I really choose this? When I was 6 years old?’ Like with anything in your life, you have to reevaluate your choices to… give them more meaning… I don’t take it for granted anymore.

Fox News: Has there been any sibling rivalry between you, Alexander and Bill?
Skarsgard: It’s interesting that whole thing, the rivalry. As long as you’re doing fine yourself, you’re more OK with it… But obviously, it’s inevitable that you compare yourself to your siblings. But we take it kind of lightly. We can laugh about it. And we can jokingly check who’s the highest ranking on IMDB at the moment. And Bill definitely has that record this year. He was the top one for four to five consecutive weeks. He was number one on IMDB’s star meter. So it’s hard to beat that. It’s hard to rival these two guys. They’re so beautiful.

Fox News: What’s your take on life in Hollywood?
Skarsgard: I’m grateful I grew up in Stockholm... I think that gives me a sort of healthy distance from a lot of stuff here. But I think to some degree, it’s also liberating to be here. In Sweden, we have something called tall poppy syndrome. If you grow too big, they will cut you down in the culture to a certain degree, whereas here, it’s obviously the opposite. Grow as tall as you like.

I also think it’s easier here to speak clearly what you don’t like. In Sweden, people who are about money and fame, they’re a bit more ashamed of it, whereas here, it’s so obvious people aren’t ashamed of it.

Fox News: What can audiences expect from Season 5 of ‘Vikings?’
Skarsgard: Well, it’s going to be a bigger season than before in scope and in storyline! We will get to see new places. We’ve been shooting both in Iceland and in Morocco, so that will give a new flavor to the show. So pretty much as the viking world expands as it has during the show. There will be a lot of battles and a lot drama. There will obviously be a lot of conflict.

Fox News: Season 5 will also feature Jonathan Rhys Meyers. What’s it been like working with him?
Skarsgard: I haven’t had a lot of interaction with him unfortunately. I think he’s a great actor, but I don’t want to spoil too many storylines, but I kind of venture off on my own. So we haven’t really connected that much.

Fox News: ‘Vikings’ has been compared to ‘Game of Thrones’ over the years, which has led to some fiery debates. How do you feel about the comparison?
Skarsgard: Well, I don’t know [because] I’m a constant diplomat (laughs). I actually really love ‘Game of Thrones’ and I don’t see a conflict in that. But this is different. This is based on history. ‘Game of Thrones’ is more of a fantasy show… I don’t feel like I have to pick. They’re different stories in different times. I love both.

Fox News: It’s been said that Daniel Day-Lewis is reportedly a fan of your work in ‘Vikings.’
Skarsgard: … My dad heard it from Jim Sheridan, who works a lot with Daniel Day-Lewis. I’m not even sure if it’s true, but if it is true, it’s like the most honorable thing I’ve ever heard because I’m a huge fan of his. I’m just going to cling on to it as it’s true.



Fox News: In addition to ‘Vikings,’ you’re also starring in HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ But it sounds like your audition went horribly wrong.
Skarsgard: Yeah, it was a... long monologue that I had limited time to prepare for. So I came in and I certainly did my best, but I just kept stumbling on the words… it was so technical, it was one of those texts where you really want to get it precisely right and if you miss a beat slightly, you’re off. It’s the kind of text you want a lot of time to prepare for so you know it in the marrow of your bones. I didn’t have that time. So I messed it up a few times.

I walked out calling my managers and going, ‘No, I blew this. It’s not gonna happen.’ I pretty much had given up on the idea that I would get that role, until they called like two months later and told me I got it. It was a pleasant surprise.

"Vikings" airs Wednesdays on History Channel.

www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/05/meet-vikings-star-gustaf-skarsgard-other-skarsgard-brother-from-acting-dynasty.html

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New thread for all our new photoshoots and interviews.  

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www.etonline.com/vikings-and-westworld-star-gustaf-skarsgard-on-growing-up-skarsgard-exclusive-98167

'Vikings' and 'Westworld' Star Gustaf Skarsgård on Growing Up Skarsgård (Exclusive)
By Jennifer Drysdale‍ 10:00 AM PDT, March 12, 2018


Robby Klein/Getty Images

There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.

With Stellan Skarsgård as a father, Gustaf Skarsgård didn’t have to work too hard to find himself on film sets as a kid -- but neither did his brothers. Of his five siblings and two half-siblings, three of Gustaf’s brothers also became actors.

There’s Alexander, best known for True Blood, Tarzan and his award-winning role on Big Little Lies; Bill, who captivated audiences as Pennywise in It; and Valter, who, at 22 years old, is still mostly acting in Sweden.

Gustaf also spent most of his career acting in Scandinavian films and TV shows, before making a name for himself with international audiences in History’s Vikings and now, the upcoming second season of Westworld.

“Whenever I say Westworld, there's a guy with, like, a laser side beam pointed at my chest,” Gustaf said with a laugh while chatting with ET on a rainy January morning. The 37-year-old actor first warned that he wouldn’t be able to talk much about the HBO series, but as a huge fan of the show, there were a few details he couldn’t help but boast about.

“It’s probably one of my favorite television shows of all time,” he exclaimed, admitting that after watching season one, he asked his management to do whatever it took to get him on the show. “They approached them and told them I was a huge fan,” he recalled. “I think it's so intelligent and aesthetically beautiful and I really think it's a great show. So I'm just flattered to be a part of it in any capacity.”

Gustaf will be playing a new character named Karl Strand, who he described as “an ex-military, white collar guy who works for the corporation.” The description sounds like Gustaf will be working on the Delos side of things in Westworld, but he wouldn’t confirm.

“They're so secretive, with the nature of the show, where there's so many plot twists and everything is so delicate,” he said, calling working on the show one of the most “challenging” experiences of his career.

“When I first joined the show, I got the script two days before I started shooting. And there's constant rewrites and a lot of stuff happening and changing all the time, so you really have to be on your toes. Your professionalism is constantly tested, because anything can change at any moment, and it does,” Gustaf confessed. “You can never relax and kick back. You really have to be on your toes, and be professional and private and deliver at the top of your game the whole time.”

“It's really challenging that way. But it's also amazing to be challenged,” he added -- though challenge is something he’s felt almost his entire life.

“There’s always (a rivalry),” Gustaf stated blunty, when asked if he feels competitive with his brothers. “Of course there can be jealousy and insecurities and whatnot, because that’s inherent in this profession as it is. And then if you have that close to you, within your own family, if your brother is doing great when you are not, that’s a reminder of that.”

The actor paused for a second, before continuing: “But that’s not to say that you can’t be happy for each other as well… Even if I’m at my lowest, insecurity and everything, I would still always wish the best for my brothers. But when you’re doing well yourself, you just have more excess of happiness for your brothers.”


Gustaf, Bill and Alexander at the Los Angeles premiere of 'It' last September.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

With his new role on Westworld, Gustaf has an abundance of happiness for Alexander, Bill and Valter -- as well as for himself.

“I really do love it,” he raved, revealing that he’s been trying to piece together the season’s plot based on his own scripts. “Most of my questions have been answered, but there are still a lot of things I don't understand, and a lot of speculation within the cast. It's so funny, because people will get different information at different times, so we're working, but we're actually speculating together, like, what stuff could mean. It really is like solving a puzzle from within while you're shooting the show.”

And with him and Alexander now both part of the HBO family, Gustaf said he hopes a brotherly collaboration is in the near future.

“Obviously it has to be the right project and the right material, but I would love to. I think it's so much fun to work with people who you like and love and are close to,” he insisted. “I really hope that they will find a great project for all of us. That would be fun.”

Westworld returns April 22 on HBO.

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interview | gustaf skarsgård
 

Building a successful dynasty requires commitment, tenacity, and determination —qualities Gustaf Skarsgård knows only too well. Having watched and admired his father’s, the renowned actor Stellan Skarsgård, passion for acting, Gustaf did what many six-year-old children do at that age, vow to follow in his father’s footsteps. Whilst many would inevitably waiver from their initial career choice, Gustaf, along with his brothers, Alexander, Bill, and Valter have carved out a truly iconic acting dynasty. As he continues to explore the emotional boundaries of his character, Floki, in Vikings, the History Channel’s explosive series, Gustaf is more than ready to enter the prestigious arena of HBO’s gripping sci-fi thriller, Westworld.

Intent on pursuing acting from a young age and having seen the virtues of being paid to “play pretend”, Gustaf honed his craft whilst at drama school where the pressure to succeed really kicked in. “The most pressure I’ve ever felt to be brilliant was in drama school —those were the toughest auditions. I really wanted to prove myself.” Yet, despite this early determination to succeed, Gustaf insists that there is no bad blood in the family when it comes to competing for roles. “Luckily, we are different in type and age, so there hasn’t been a lot of competition for specific parts,” he confesses. “There is competition to the point that we can actually make fun of it —we’ll keep scores and laugh about it. At the end of the day, we’re in this industry to have fun.” However, Gustaf doesn’t deny the difficulties that come with being part of an acclaimed acting family. “We’re a very close family, and we’ve always been supportive of one another. But it’s definitely easier to be happy for the other person’s acting success when you’re doing okay yourself. Ultimately, when you’re all in the same competitive industry it can be more hurtful to see the other succeed if you’re not doing as well.”

Having secured the troubled role of Floki in the highly acclaimed Vikings, Gustaf is far from struggling. As his character submits himself to the Gods after the devastating loss of his closest friend, daughter and wife, this fifth season sees Floki embark on a journey of rebirth. “This season, we see a complete transformation —almost like the annihilation of his ego,” he says. It’s no longer about him. With so much loss, he’s let go in order to serve a higher purpose.” Drawing on such an intense level of suffering, proved to be a challenging experience. “It’s about submerging yourself into the fate of this man who I’ve come to know so well over the years. Whatever happens to this character, I really feel the emotion myself. As humans, we’ve all experienced some level of pain. Acting is just a matter of accessing and magnifying these emotions.” One element that has been a light-hearted relief is his character’s now idiosyncratic giggle. “It has a very mischievous quality to it, which is extremely unexpected,” he admits. “I wanted to do something that would throw a curve ball into the very testosterone filled environment. Ultimately, it reflects Floki’s unpredictability.”

With an array of film, theatre and TV roles to his name, Gustaf is more than ready to embark on his biggest challenge to date, appearing in the much anticipated second season of the TV remake of Michael Crichton’s Westworld. “I hadn’t even read the script before I signed on,” he admits. “I was already a huge fan of the show, so I trusted the material would be of the highest quality.” As with any eagerly awaited TV series, much of the show’s character and plot developments are tightly under wraps, so much so that even Gustaf has been kept in the dark. “It’s like I have a laser dot on my chest at all times, and if I reveal too much, someone will pull the trigger,” he jokes. “I wish I knew more than I actually do. We’ve all kept in the dark, so we don’t know any of the big secrets.” The only titbit he can divulge is that he will be playing Karl Strand, a white collar, ex-military, problem solver that works for the Dallas Corporation who enters the arena. Whilst remaining tight lipped about his role, Gustaf enthuses about the show’s production. “It really is a huge beast of a production! The sheer scale and logistics involved is just insane —there are so many things going on at the same time with different directors and locations. We have to be on standby and be ready to shoot when we get the call. It can be brutal, I’m literally given the script right before I shoot —you really are kept on your toes. So it’s challenging, but also hugely rewarding just being able to step into this amazing world.”

With so much at stake, you would be forgiven for thinking that Gustaf was feeling the pressure—not so… “There is always pressure to deliver but you can’t ever focus on that,” he recounts. “The need to be brilliant is something you learn to cope with over the years —ultimately you just want to do right by the material. You want to keep challenging yourself and evolving as an artist, so you can’t really focus on being great. That’s not a concrete thing to aim towards, the role is.” Drastically switching genres from history to sci-fi also sheds light on Gustaf’s refusal to be typecast as an actor. “I like playing a variety of roles and characters as it forces you to keep challenging yourself. I deliberately dare to take risks with every performance.” Gustaf’s keen interest in sci-fi undoubtedly helped whilst filming. “Good sci-fi lends itself to both the bigger philosophical and technological questions —who are we as a species, who could we become and what would it mean to create a new species,” he ponders. “These questions are more urgent than ever. For me, Westworld strikes that balance between the existentialist exploration of human enlightenment and the potential of technology.”

As we wait with eager anticipation to see how his latest characters play out on the small screen, Gustaf is already looking to take on his next challenge. As always, keen to mix things up, Gustaf now has his eyes cast on film and, whilst the nature of his next role remains a mystery, his position within the family dynasty is firmly set.

The second season of Westworld premieres next Sunday, April 22nd, on HBO. Vikings‘ fifth season returns later in 2018, watch the mid-season finale now on Amazon Prime.

This Schön! online exclusive was produced by

photography. Ben Cope @ 7am Management
fashion. Tiffani Chynel
grooming. Mynxii White @ Photogenics Army using Temptu
words. Katie Shuff