Editor’s Note:  This conversation was recorded live and the transcript has been pulled and what you see below is a reflection of said transcript.  Alex’s words have in no way been altered.

Please do NOT REPOST this interview anywhere else!!  When sharing please post a link back to this site for viewing!  Thanks~

It’s rainy and miserable outside of the Hilton here in Downtown Shreveport Louisiana.  I sit in a corner of the lobby in a cozy oversized chair enjoying Gregory Maguire’s Wicked while waiting for Alexander Skarsgård to come down and meet with me for our interview.

Alexander, or Alex as many call him, has been here in Shreveport since early August working on his latest project, a remake of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 controversial piece called Straw Dogs.  The remake is being directed by Rod Lurie and features other thespians such as James Woods, James Marsden, Rhys Coiro and Kate Bosworth.  Alexander has taken on the role of Charlie Venner- the lead villain in this film.  ‘Straw Dogs’ also reunites Alex with Billy Lush, his friend and co-star from Generation Kill, who plays one of the local villains in Charlie’s posse.

I first met Alex on the Straw Dogs set where I worked as an extra for two weeks.  With the set schedule being so erratic and with the weather wreaking havoc this meeting has taken some time to finalize and I’m very pleased that we are able to meet on this day and especially happy to be able to interview Alex here in my home State.

The bad weather here in Shreveport has prolonged the production for an additional week and I’ve noticed that all the actors and the crew have somber looks on their faces- including Alex.

The 6 foot 4 inch Swede enters the lobby wearing flip flops and a Straw Dogs hooded jacket and greets me with a hug and a smile and then sits down across from me.  I jokingly ask him if they have killed his character off yet and I get a chuckle out of him and, as I’ve expected, he tells me it’s been tough this past week with all of the weather issues.

As Alex sets off autographing items and then thumbs through a copy of Swedish Elle, which he tells me that he hasn’t even seen yet, I start the interview.

So tell me.  How’s the movie going?

It’s good! We’re having a real good time but we’re kind of tired now.  It’s towards the end now and it’s been long nights.  We’re shooting all night until 6 or 7 in the morning.  So it’s pretty tough but it’s been a lot of fun.

So did the bad weather and rain have to be written into the script?

No because we started shooting it a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t raining then.  So it’s been tough.  It can’t rain because of the continuity so it’s just been a lot of waiting and then we run out and shoot for a little while and then we wait again.  It’s been hard.

Tell me why did you decide to be part of this remake and take on the role of Charlie Venner?  There has been a lot of flack circulating around criticizing “Hollywood” for even trying to remake this movie.

Yeah, well I met with Rod (Lurie) the director and I read the script and I really liked it.  It’s different enough from the original version to make it interesting- I think- and I thought that the character was very interesting as well.

I can’t wait to see it.  It was really great being a part of this myself – even as an extra and I really do like the original.  It’s really an intense film but as a woman it is quite a bit disturbing to watch!

It is!  It is very intense and disturbing but it’s quite different from the original.  We’re not remaking it scene by scene so there are distinct differences.   I’ve had a great time working on it.  I’m very happy with it!

How have you liked working and living in Louisiana for the past few months? Has the South treated you well?

It’s been great!  I’m really happy that we went ahead and shot ’Straw Dogs’ here.  I’ve never been here before so it’s been great to be here. I love this place!

We usually shoot everything in Los Angeles so it’s pretty fun actually for folks to support your show and to come out and see you.

I had to ask how you liked it here because this is my home State.   I am from New Orleans so…

Oh you are?

Yeah I am!  It’s like the best place ever to me!  No matter where else I go it’s always calling me back!

Yeah we went down there to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago- me, Rhys (Coiro) and two other friends.  I had never been down there before so it was great!  It was a real fun weekend.

So how do you think New Orleans compares to Los Angeles or Sweden?

I thought New Orleans was fantastic!  It’s a really cool city and I really mean it.

New Orleans has a great soul and is amazing!  You know it’s got it’s own personality.  The music scene and great food – I enjoyed it a lot.  I’m definitely going to go back!

I definitely know what you mean!

So what do you think is the biggest difference between filming here stateside in America and back home in Sweden doing European films?  Are there any big differences?

Not really.  It’s mostly the money factor.  Most probably the biggest difference is the money and that the budgets are bigger here and there are a lot more people involved.  In Sweden they are for the most part independent films so it’s much smaller.

Would you say it’s more intimate?

Yeah, well, it kind of depends.  I think that you can still get an intimate feeling on a big budget movie if you’re working with the right people.  It’s just the scale of it that is very different.  For example the catering and the crew here are virtually bigger than the entire film crew in Sweden is so it’s very different.

You have portrayed a lot of different characters from all different backgrounds and nationalities.  How do you build characters that are so different from yourself?

Do you take instances from your past?  Do you put a bit of yourself into them?

Yes always.  I think it has to come from inside of me.  It has to begin within myself.  And there is always a bit of myself in my characters.

So what kind of actor are you?  Are you a method actor?  Do you follow Stanislavski?

No, no I don’t. I mean I can’t really categorize myself.  I don’t.  It’s hard to say.  I don’t have a specific method, no.

I don’t follow one school.  I’ve read stuff on Stanislavski but…it’s very inspiring but I can’t say I follow one specific method or a specific school.  It’s a creative process and I…  You know I think I find my own way in it and how I create my characters.  I take them all in the project.

But I can say that it feels like when I’m on set that I walk around for two months living the character and I can definitely get… (Alex makes a crazy sound and smiles!)

Really?  I know that a lot of True Blood fans I talk to say that they now see you as Eric!

Oh do they really?

Yeah they do!  But well, since I’m a bigger fan of Generation Kill than I am of True Blood I can’t say I agree with that.

Oh really you are?

Yes I am. I’m also a bit disenchanted with True Blood right now.  I was kind of disappointed with the second half of it.

Oh really?

Yeah, I wasn’t happy with it.

Oh no why?

Well, personally, I think season two went downhill right after Godric died.  There was so much potential. You were excellent this season!  It was great seeing Eric having a more prominent role than he did in the first season.

Thank you!

Because of the show a lot of people now see Eric as the villain and he’s not a villain at all- at least in the books he isn’t.  And yes, I realize that the books and the show are separate entities.  I have to ask if Allan Ball is reading the same books as I am.  But that’s just my opinion.  What do you think?  Have you read any more of the books?

Yeah I’ve read the first 5 books so far.  I think a lot of things will happen in the future.  I don’t know more than you guys do though.  We don’t have the script for season three yet.

When do you guys start filming?

Early December.  In two months. (Edit: Season 3 starts November 18^th!)

In your previous films we’ve often seen you display touches of comedy.  When will we get to see you do another comedy?

Well, I’m ready for it now because for two months now I’ve been working on something very very tough and involved. It would be fun to do something funny after this.  To do something more comedic would be great.  I’d love to!

There are bits of comedy in True Blood so I enjoy that but I’d love to be in a comedy as well.  I’d really enjoy it.

Which one of your characters do you most identify with?

All of them!  In one way or the another yeah.

Because you are part of them right?

I think so yeah.

That’s good!

Straw Dogs is your first major Hollywood role.  How do you think you’ll have to adjust or balance your personal life with your growing fame especially after the film is released?  Because I know even right now the paparazzi has been following you intently these past few months.

Yeah.  I don’t know.  It hasn’t really affected me much and I don’t think it’s going to change much after this either.  I’ve been famous in Sweden for a very long time and it’s…

Sweden’s a little different though… There aren’t any paparazzi there.

Yeah, well, I know it’s different.  But the idea is pretty much the same.  No matter where you are people will recognize you.  But I grew up with actors.  My father is an actor so I know what it’s like.  It’s just important to know who you are, who your friends are and keep what’s private- private and cherish it.  You know?

So tell me what is it about acting that you love so much!

Well I think by portraying different characters I discover parts of my own personality and things that are hidden.  While in the process of creating the character you have to, like I said, dig deep within yourself to find things that might be kind of hidden that you didn’t know you had which is very interesting.

We know that you were a child actor in Sweden and you took a 7-year hiatus.  What is it that you missed so much that made you come back to acting?

I really missed the craft and working.  I really missed working on scripts and creating characters and meeting a lot of different people.  There are a lot of very very interesting and creative people involved in working and I really missed that.  I felt very detached from that.

So if you weren’t acting what would you be doing?

Maybe an architect?  When I was in my late teens that’s what I considered pursuing.

So do you draw sketches and designs?

I did! When I was a teenager I did but not that much anymore.  I was always interested in it.

And what is your favorite style?

I love the old Scandinavian 60s style- 50s and 60s style.  I love the clean lines and that sort of style.

I’ll be spending next August in Scandinavia.

You are? Cool!

I’m trying to learn the language.

Oh really?

Yes, I’m using an awesome computer program to help me.

It’s tough!

No, no it’s pretty easy.

Oh is it?

Yes but I’ve only been doing it for a few months now.  Whatever I’ve learned so far I’ve kept.

Cool!

But I couldn’t- I don’t think I could hold a conversation with you!

Oh… no?  Not yet?

No not yet.  So about Sweden, what places would you recommend be visited while there?

I love it all!  I really do!

Of course you do as I love New Orleans!

Yeah!!  Stockholm is the capitol and it’s the biggest city and it’s fun.  Gothenburg is the 2^nd biggest city on the west coast and it’s a lot of fun too.  Malmo is also a city worth visiting.  They’re all different but they are all so vibrant and all have a cool music scene and an art scene.  And if you want to go up North it’s amazing and beautiful.  You’d really like the wilderness up there!  It is just fantastic.  The heights and the outdoor activities are great.  It’s spectacular!  I’d try to do everything.

Is there something that you’re working towards in your acting career?  Do you have a goal that you’re reaching for?

No, not a specific goal.  I’m just happy as long as I get to work on new different projects and to take on new casts and new roles that are quite different than I’ve done before.  The new challenges-stuff like this.  I’ve worked with amazing creative intelligent fun people and getting to go on journeys like this is great.

So where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?

I have no idea!

No idea?

No idea!  I’m just going with the flow.  I’m really enjoying the ride!

Do you think you’ll still be acting?

I think so yeah.  But I really enjoy the ride.  I really enjoy the dream!

Have you been writing anything?  Working on any new scripts or projects?

Yeah I am!  A little on the sides…yeah.  Nothing big.  Actually they’re still in Swedish but I’m working on something.

I’ve seen a lot of your video interviews and most of the times you pause before you speak and during speaking.  We’ve wondered if you think in Swedish.

No, I.  I actually do that in Swedish too.  Sometimes I think about stuff before I say anything.  I think that’s a good idea!

Yeah, it is a good idea!

So how long are you committed to True Blood.  Is it another 4 years?

Well, it’s a 6-year deal but who knows what’s going to happen.  It’s one season at a time.

Do you think that being committed to True Blood for that long is going to hinder you from taking on any bigger lengthier roles and projects?

Well, I’m sure stuff will collide with the schedule but I don’t worry about that.  I mean, I really really am so happy that I’m part of the show.  I have a blast working on it and of course I’m going to lose out on projects because they shoot at the same time but I’m still glad.  I’ve got the greatest job right now so.

In closing here are a few questions from some fans!

Joie is a runner and she would like to know if you run any.

Well, when I was younger I use to run the 10K in Sweden.

Pamela would like to know if you had a bucket list what would be the first thing listed on it that you would want to do before you died?

Go to Antarctica.

Antarctica?

Yeah!

You like the cold weather don’t you?

No I just… It’s just that I’ve just had this fascination with it. I really want to go down there and check it out.

Charlene asks: You’re up next for karaoke what do you sing?

Uh…I NEVER sing karaoke but if I had to I’d probably sing… um… TownesVan Zandt.

And we all would like to know are you as shy as you seem to be?  You do seem a bit shy at times.

Oh do I really?  It kind of depends on the situation.

And on that question we wrap up.  At this time the rest of the cast comes trickling through the lobby and are waiting collectively for transportation to the set.  Alex then opens his script book and presents to me an 8×10-framed picture of the villains from Straw Dogs (Billy Lush, Alex, Rhys Coiro and Drew Powell).

He signs the glass with “Thanks for all of the hard work Jenn! Alexander Skarsgård”.

I thank him for the surprise gift and tell him how much I appreciate his taking the time to meet with me while he’s so busy.

Before he leaves gives me another hug and says, “I really do appreciate all the hard work you do.  It really means a lot.  It’s great.  Thanks for coming back so we could do this!  It was nice talking with you again!”.

As he turns to walk outside he says, “Say hi to everybody for me!”.

And my interview with the Viking comes to an end!

In closing I have to say that it was truly awesome getting to sit down with Alex and to talk with him for this short while.  Each time I’ve met with him he’s always been very personable and it’s always a pleasure to chat with him.

I know that he has been extremely busy working on Straw Dogs and it really means a lot to me, as a fan and webmistress, that he would take time out from his crazy schedule to meet with me and do this interview.

I also need to thank his manager, Larry, for all of his efforts in helping to make this happen.

And yes Alex, Nästa gång vi träffas kommer vi att göra intervjun på svenska!

Editor’s Note:

When asking Alex the karaoke question I didn’t really catch what he said and I should have asked him to repeat the question but it was wrap up time and I chose not to.  Upon reviewing the transcript I was a bit puzzled trying to figure out the band/song he answered the question with.  I truly think I stumped him with the question.

I slowed the recording down quite a bit and what I got from it was (John) Townes Van Zandt.  I looked that name up on Wikipedia and found that he was a country- folk musician.

I recall from past interviews that Alex has said he loves the Coen Brothers’ film The Big Lebowski and at the closing of that film Townes Van Zandt is featured singing a cover of The Rolling Stones single Dead Flowers.

Or another theory is maybe since he’s been living in the South for the past few months playing a local he’s been listen to lots of country music.

So, Alex, if I messed up and totally got the name you said wrong I apologize and would love to know what it was you said exactly.

I dedicate this song from The Big Lebowski to The (Other) Dude Alex!  Rock on my Swedish friend!

This interview is also available in GERMAN and ITALIAN ! Thanks to Lotti and Marta!  if anyone else wants to translate this post into another language please email me and I’ll be glad to post it for you!

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