‘The Northman’: Read the Screenplay of Robert Eggers’ Epic Viking Revenge Tale

Editor’s note: Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series debuts and celebrates the screenplays of films that will appear in this year’s film awards race.

Robert Eggers previously said he never wanted to make a Viking film. It wasn’t until he traveled to Iceland in 2015 that he began to see the beautiful landscapes and research Viking lore. Fortunately for him, Alexander Skarsgård was keen to be a part of such a film and the two decided to work together. Eggers tinkered with the help of the Icelandic writer and poet Sjón The Normana historically accurate tale of honor, revenge and extreme violence that hit theaters in April.

The Norman follows Amleth (Skarsgård), a Viking prince who experiences the brutal murder of his father, King Aurvandil War-Raven (Ethan Hawke), and the kidnapping of his mother, Queen Gudrún (Nicole Kidman), both at the hands of his uncle Fjölnir, fear. (Claes). ). Two decades later, he returns under the guise of a slave, trying to avenge his father’s death, save his mother and kill his treacherous uncle. His quest is aided by Olga van die Berkbos (Anya Taylor-Joy), an enslaved Slave who claims to be a wizard. The Focus Features film also features cameos from Willem Dafoe and Björk.

Eggers used the film as a reinterpretation of Icelandic sagas and Viking legends such as the Norse legend of Amleth. The story is about a young prince who wants revenge on his uncle for killing his father and stealing his mother, which served as the basis for Shakespeare’s film hamlet.

Click below to read the script co-written by Sjón and Eggers.