Robert Eggers, director of The Witch and The Lighthouse, was a week away from starting production of his next film, The Northman, when the COVID-19 crisis hit. The Viking drama – which is set to feature an ensemble cast, including Alexander and Bill Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, and more – has now resumed production, and a new set of actors have joined the cast.
Besides The Witch’s Kate Dickie, there are two more interesting additions joining – Björk, and her daughter, Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. The news was revealed, unexpectedly, in an Instagram Story by a trainer working on the film, who posted a video from the production that revealed a board naming the entire cast (via The Film Stage). Deadline have since reported on the cast additions.
Björk’s character is named on the board as ‘The Slav Witch’. Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney – Björk’s daughter with artist Matthew Barney – is also named.
Björk’s last film appearance was in Matthew Barney’s film Drawing Restraint 9 in 2005. She previously starred in Lars von Trier’s 2000 film Dancer in the Dark, but the experience was scarring for her, and she has barely acted since.
The Northman is set in Iceland, and was pitched to Robert Eggers by Alexander Skarsgård. Eggers wrote the script with Icelandic poet and novelist Sjón. It takes place at the turn of the 10th century, and follows a Nordic prince (played by Alexander Skarsgård) who seeks revenge for his father’s death.
Check out the social media post revealing Björk’s involvement below.
