Anya Taylor-Joy is no stranger to working with intense, visionary filmmakers, but even she couldn’t have predicted the sheer level of commitment (and trouser-optional choices) that came with promoting The Northman. While chatting with The Movie Dweeb, Anya gave an unforgettable reaction when asked about her co-star Alexander Skarsgård’s truly iconic IMDb photo—you know, the one where he’s rocking a crisp suit jacket, a button-up shirt, and… absolutely no trousers.
“That was his personal request,” Anya confirmed, with a laugh. “It is entirely his sense of humor. Alex has such a wicked sense of humor, which is very, very fun to be around.” And if his IMDb flex wasn’t enough proof of that, she went on to describe a next-level promotional move he pulled at the Stockholm premiere of The Northman.
“He basically did all of our jobs combined and sold this movie,” she said. “At the Stockholm premiere, he brought out his encased leather thong that he wears in the film and showed it to everybody. So he essentially sold our film, and for that, I am grateful.”
The Northman: Brutal Battles, Viking Vengeance, and Anya’s Third Eggers Film
Directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse), The Northman is a full-throttle Viking revenge epic starring Skarsgård as Amleth, a prince on a blood-soaked quest to avenge his father. Taylor-Joy plays Olga, a fierce and cunning Slavic sorceress who aids Amleth on his journey, proving once again that she’s a powerhouse in historical, folklore-laced dramas.
This marked Anya’s third collaboration with Eggers, following her breakout role in The Witch and an upcoming Nosferatu remake. The duo clearly thrives on bringing eerie, meticulously crafted period pieces to life—though, thankfully, none of them have involved Skarsgård’s infamous leather thong (yet).
The Skarsgård Factor: No Pants, No Problem
Whether he’s showing up half-dressed on IMDb or turning a movie premiere into a Viking-themed strip show, Alexander Skarsgård knows how to leave a lasting impression. And, according to Anya, that energy isn’t just for press tours—it’s what makes him such a compelling performer.
With The Northman, Anya once again proved she’s one of the most dynamic actors working today, while Skarsgård, well… he proved that pants are entirely optional when you’ve got Viking-level confidence.