Gustaf Skarsgard Floki
Gustaf Skarsgard plays Floki on the hot new series Vikings. We caught up with Skarsgard to talk about the shows first season, now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Can you describe the character of Floki?
Its harder to intellectually describe him than it is to physically portray him. Hes this kind of eccentric visionary boat-builder. Hes almost on the verge of being fundamentally religious in terms of his Viking Gods. Hes into his own magic and interpretation of the world.
Would it be fair to describe it as a very physical role?
Yes, both in terms of his expression but also actions. Building boats and fighting in battles. He sees boat-building as his calling. He gives life to these boats. Its a holy and a spiritual thing for him.
Floki must be a fascinating character to play because he could be easily as perceived as the fool or the crazy guy. But theres a lot more to Floki than meets the eye?
Definitely, I think thats important to find that balance. Sometimes I get tired of myself. I feel like the bloody fool. But I think Floki also gets tired of himself. Hes aware of his role as the fool, he has a Shakespearean fool quality. The fool is always the wisest because hes aware of his own fool role. He has his own darkness as well. Some Vikings fans are freaked out by the character, others think hes adorable. He works in different ways for different people. Im happy about that balance. As soon as you think hes just a fool, he does something really weird and spooky. Right when you think hes just a weirdo, he does something charming.
Did you take inspiration from the God Loki in becoming Floki?
I did a little bit. Loki is the God of mischief: an unpredictable character in the mythology, the catalyst, as Floki is as well. Loki would trigger events, as Floki does as well. I definitely think that Floki kind of identifies himself with that God in particular. Not only Loki. Hes also devout to Odin, the God of wisdom and magic.
Whats his relationship with Ragnar?
I think Ragnar is the only one who accepts Floki for who he is, sees him for who he is, and invests in his potential. Floki had always been an outsider. Hes like the guy who wouldnt play football with the other kids, then there was this one jock who took care of him and liked him, that is Ragnar. That really created a strong loyal bound between.
Is he isolated from the rest of the community?
He lives in his own weird little house that he built. Hes kind of weird like that and a loner. It has always been important for him that Ragnar accepted him. I also think they have a connection in the mythology and thereligion as well.
Any stand-out memories of season ones battle scenes?
Theres always a lot of skin scraped off my knuckles due to the Saxon armour. I finally got a little gauntlet knuckle-duster to protect my knuckles. Its fun. Especially when you have really good choreography and its well covered by all the cameras. The not so fun part, apart from the knuckles, is waiting around for 12 hours in mud and blood and youre wet, because were in Ireland and it always rains. You win some, you lose some.
Have you adapted a certain crazy fighting style?
A little bit. Floki is kind of intense on the battlefield. He has his own tools. I was adamant about him not having a shield. In the same way he didnt play ball with the other kids, I dont think he got regular fighting training. No shield wall training, being the loner that he is. For me, it was important he used boat building tools. So he has a weird little axe and knife.
What are your memories of sailing on the productions own Viking ship?
Amazing. In Season One we were on rivers and lakes. That was cool. One of those moments when the veil between fiction and reality is so thin, its almost not there.
How does the set design, costumes, and overall world, help you become the character?
Thats half my job done for me. Thats whats fun about doing film or television, compared to theatre. Its fun stepping into a costume in a village or on a lake. You get so close to that fictional situation.
VIKINGS SEASON 1 NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD & BLU-RAY
Source: Moviehole
