Replica Viking ship damaged during “The Odyssey” filming SWEDISH GROUP SEEKS $6000 FROM UNIVERSAL

A Swedish heritage group has accused a major Hollywood studio of failing to settle a modest repair bill after using a replica Viking ship in a big-budget film production.

The vessel, Glad av Gillberga, was rented by Universal Pictures for the filming of The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan. According to Dagens Nyheter, the studio has yet to pay compensation for damage sustained during production.

Peter Olausson, chairman of the Viking Society in Sweden’s Värmland province, which owns the ship, said the 17.5-metre replica longship — launched in 1998 — was approved for filming by the studio’s props department and sent to the Mediterranean in 2025.

Upon its return and mooring on the Byälven River, the vessel showed clear signs of wear, Olausson said. These included paint damage, a crack in the hull, structural elements requiring replacement and repairs needed to the mast fastening.

Olausson noted that, alongside the agreed rental fee of 400,000 kronor (about $41,200), the studio had committed to covering any repair costs. However, communication has since stalled.

“We asked for compensation for wear and tear; the amount is $6,000. For Universal this is a trifle, but for us this sum is of great importance,” he said, adding that in recent months “there has been silence from one side of the email correspondence.”

Despite the dispute, The Odyssey, released globally on July 17, has performed strongly at the box office. The film generated $264.1 million in its opening weekend, marking the highest-grossing debut of Nolan’s career.

By Tamilla Hasanova