
The New York Times art beat asked fans for questions to be answered by Alexander Skarsgard while he was in Toronto for TIFF 2012. The excerpt is below:
SOURCE:
TORONTO— During our time at the Toronto International Film Festival, we’ve been talking to filmmakers and actors and, on this occasion, taking some of your questions with us. On Saturday, we solicited questions for Alexander Skarsgard, who plays the Teutonic vampire Eric Northman in the HBO series “True Blood” and is here to promote “What Maisie Knew,” an adaptation of the Henry James novel set in New York City. We received quite a number of varied questions and chose a selection to ask the Swedish-born Mr. Skarsgard, whose character, Lincoln, is a bartender who gets caught up in a nasty custody battle after he marries Julianne Moore’s Susanna. Below are his responses.Q.
I was really struck by the different physical characterizations of Lincoln and Eric after attending [Friday’s] premiere of “What Maisie Knew,” and having just finished watching the season finale of “True Blood.” What discussions or collaborations are involved in determining the physical presence and representation of a character? — Ellen C, Toronto
A.
To me, it’s all about inspiration. What gets me creatively excited is a challenge. There’s gotta be a discovery. When I read a script and have my first interaction with this character, do I feel like there’s something I’m gonna learn here? If I feel like it’s something I’ve done before, then what’s the incentive for me to do it? That’s why, after playing Eric Northman for seven months shooting a season, I don’t want to play Eric Northman in a movie, but just without fangs. I want to try new things.

Nicole RivelliMr. Skarsgard with Onata Aprile in “What Maisie Knew.”
Q.
Wondering if you are in interested in doing a comedy? — Gina Bianchin, Chicago
A.
Yeah, absolutely. I’ve done that in Sweden before. My first film out here was actually a comedy, “Zoolander,” many years ago. I had a small part in that. But I’d love that. It’s different, and something I haven’t done in a while.
Q.
Concerning your career: Who would you love to work with? Do you think you will ever direct a movie? — Elaine, Nashville
A.
Isabelle Huppert, the French actress. She’s amazing. And I’ve directed a bit in Sweden. I wrote and directed a short film a couple of years ago. It’s called “To Kill a Child.” Very uplifting (laughs). It’s based on a short story about a car accident and a man kills a child. My kid brother who is now 17, but he was 8 when we shot it, plays the little kid in the movie. I want to do more. It’s just about finding the right project and, obviously, timing.
For the rest of the Q &A please click here:
