‘The Northman’: Robert Eggers Did Not Get Final Cut After Studio Interference

Robert Eggers’ “The Northman” underwent an intense series of reshoots, this after politely received test screenings put a damper on the possibility of it being released in 2021.  Suffice to say, Eggers’ third feature, after “The Witch,” and “The Lighthouse,” has had a somewhat problematic journey thus far. What we have here is an ambitious and massive film that is said to have a $110 million budget. 

Now a fascinating interview with The New Yorker has Eggers basically admitting studio intervention.
It has significantly lowered my excitement for this film. Eggers makes it very clear he did not have much control over the final cut :

“I think I’ve delivered the most entertaining version,” he said. “The most entertaining version is not necessarily something I’m usually striving for. But it was here, you know, and it happened.”

Eggers praised New Regency but described the editing process as the most painful experience of his life. “Frankly, I don’t think I will do it again,” he said. “Even if it means, like, not making a film this big ever again. And, by the way, I’d like to make a film this big. I’d like to make one even bigger. But, without control, I don’t know. It’s too hard on my person.”

“The Northman” has a screenplay co-written by Icelandic novelist and poet Sjón Sigurdsson. Expect ambiguously spooky storytelling. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Skarsgård, and Willem Dafoe. There is no word yet on what the plot is about, and I doubt, much like with his other films, we will get details before release.

It was announced a few months ago that the film will open on April 22nd, 2022.