Director Robert Eggers returns with his third feature film, “The Northman,” a Viking epic that places the filmmaker in a more accessible genre. The visually striking revenge flick allows for more action sequences and a larger scale/budget than he’s used to.
Eggers recently spoke with The Guardian on a range of subjects including the hiccups of trying to remake the silent vampire film, “Nosferatu,” being a longtime fan of John Milius‘ sword and sorcery picture “Conan The Barbarian,” and superhero movies and if he’d ever consider tackling a Marvel film. Eggers also revealed “The Northman” budget actually being $70 million after it had been reported the pic cost $95 million, and why he “can’t stand” watching “The Witch.”
The director confirms that Harry Styles (“Dunkirk“) was going to play Thomas Hutter in “Nosferatu” before the actor exited, not the vampire. Adding that things fell apart for a second time and would be a “shame” if the project didn’t come together as prep had been taking place in Prague.
“I do want to be clear that Harry was going to be Thomas Hutter and not the vampire. I hope that it happens,” Eggers clarified. “I’ve spent so much time, you know, thinking about it and scouting: it would be a shame if it somehow doesn’t happen. But it seems shocking to me that it’s fallen apart twice already.”
While giving the impression he’s not the kind of director that should be courted by Marvel for a superhero film, he does admit that his friend and “The Lighthouse” actor Robert Pattinson was the reason he watched “The Batman,” praising Matt Reeves‘ work on the film.
“I’ve definitely had, like, not Marvel, but the big studio meeting. But I also don’t know what I have to offer. Everything that I’m particularly good at, or that makes me unique, is not helpful in making a Marvel movie.”
“I saw it really just because Rob [Pattinson] is my friend. But I liked it, and I learned a lot of stuff from it, frankly. I applaud Matt Reeves for keeping an identity and making a film like that. I can’t imagine. I guess I just made a big movie, but it’s not the same.”
Also, Eggers shockingly revealed that he’s not as much of a fan of “The Witch” and has regrets about not getting all his ideas on the screen. Detailing his thoughts on the creative accomplishments of all three features.
“Honestly, I can’t stand watching ‘The Witch’ now,” the director sighs. “It’s not that it’s bad, and the performances are great, but I was not skilled enough as a filmmaker to get what was in my brain onto the screen. In ‘The Lighthouse,’ I was able to do that. And ‘The Northman,’ I’m proud of the movie, but not everything is quite what I hoped it would be. So I would like to do something with the scope and scale that I can actually get what’s in my imagination on to the screen.”
Whatever Eggers ends up doing next, we’ll be all ears.
“The Northman” releases on April 22.