Owner of Viking ship used in The Odyssey says studio has not paid bill for damage

Studio Owes Swedish Viking Ship Owners for Repair Costs, Claim Says

A Forgotten Debt for a Historic Vessel

Wanderstayfinder.com – The Owner of Viking ship used in Christopher Nolan’s epic film The Odyssey has publicly stated that Universal Pictures has failed to settle repair bills following the vessel’s appearance in the blockbuster production. The Swedish proprietors of the replica longship Glad av Gillberga returned the historic craft to service after its Hollywood stint, but claim they have yet to receive compensation for damages sustained during filming. This warship, modeled after a vessel discovered in Denmark’s Roskilde fjord dating to approximately 1040, has spent nearly thirty years navigating international waters, completing voyages across the North Sea, the Baltic region, and even reaching Canadian shores.

During a six-month period under Universal’s care, the vessel allegedly suffered substantial harm affecting both its stern and mast. According to the owners, the studio had committed to covering any necessary restoration work. Vikingaleden, a nonprofit organization operating a Viking center in western Sweden’s Värmland province, submitted an invoice to Universal covering only material expenses, deliberately excluding charges for volunteer workforce contributions. Despite this reasonable approach, no financial response materialized from the entertainment giant.

Now, twelve months later, while The Odyssey continues dominating worldwide box offices with an opening weekend haul of $264 million (£196 million), the association maintains it has yet to receive its $6,000 compensation. The film, which features Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya, has become one of the year’s most successful releases, yet the small Swedish organization behind one of its key maritime elements feels overlooked in the process.

Pride Mixed with Disappointment

Peter Olausson, who serves as chair of the Vikingaleden association, acknowledged feeling honored that their historic vessel appeared in the cinematic production, yet this sentiment carries an element of unfairness following what he describes as the studio’s alleged neglect of financial obligations. The Owner of Viking ship used in the production has expressed mixed emotions about the situation, balancing pride in their contribution with frustration over the unpaid invoice.

“We are only charging for the material cost, not the labour,” he explained. “Of course Universal can afford this $6,000. We feel forgotten.”

The vessel has since resumed its regular activities, though Olausson contends that Universal has reneged on their initial commitment. He emphasized that their understanding was straightforward: the association would handle repairs and subsequently receive appropriate financial reimbursement. While acknowledging that this outstanding amount represents a modest sum for a global entertainment conglomerate, Olausson noted it holds considerable significance for their 200-member organization, which manages both a Viking village and museum in the Värmland region.

The Epic Production and Its Maritime Elements

The critically praised film, which reportedly required $250 million to produce, draws inspiration from Homer’s ancient Greek narrative chronicling Odysseus, king of Ithaca, during his decade-long maritime journey returning from the Trojan conflict. The Glad av Gillberga functioned as one of several escort vessels within the production’s flotilla, which were designed to resemble Nordic Viking ships of the era. The primary vessel representing Odysseus’s own ship was the Norwegian replica Draken Harald Hårfagre, measuring thirty-five meters in length and serving as the centerpiece of the maritime sequences.

Björn Ahlander, the Swedish captain overseeing operations, described the demanding conditions aboard the filming vessels during their six-month shoot surrounding Greek and Italian islands. Speaking with broadcaster SVT, he recounted the transformation process: “We rebuilt the ship into an ancient Greek ship. We removed the tents and all the modern things and had an open deck that we lived on during this time. It was quite tough.”

Universal’s Position on the Matter

Addressing the controversy, a representative for Universal stated that their documentation indicates complete settlement of all invoices connected to the Glad av Gillberga, encompassing restoration expenses. The spokesperson further noted that both the studio and the production team have reached out to the association to resolve what they characterize as a misunderstanding. The Owner of Viking ship used in the production remains hopeful that the matter will be resolved amicably, though they continue to await formal confirmation of payment for the damages incurred during filming.