After giving Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen his first feature role in 1996’s Pusher, Nicolas Winding Refn has continued his relationship with the actor all the way up to his most recent feature, Valhalla Rising. Now, according to a report in NY Times, it looks like they will team up yet again. Refn told them:
“My whole mission has been: ‘How will I bring Mads Mikkelsen to Hollywood?’ ” he said. “And if no one else will give him the lead in a Hollywood movie, I will.”
He is talking about his Gore Verbinski-produced heist film, one of his many projects. Refn will shoot Drive with Ryan Gosling next and also plans a neo-western set in Bangkok. Mikkelsen, most notable starring in Clash of the Titans, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace has quite the relationship with Refn:
According to Mr. Refn, “we have a verbal agreement: If I ask him, he has to play the lead.” Mr. Refn writes a script, they collaborate on the character, then, during the first week, they argue a lot. “He’s from a part of Copenhagen where they don’t have the best of manners,” Mr. Refn said. “There’s a lot of profanity involved.”
Gradually the character takes shape, they stop talking, the movie gets made, and they don’t see each other for a couple of years. “Then I’ll call him and say, ‘Let’s make another movie,’ and the process starts all over again.”
Having recently re-watched Valhalla Rising, it is an utterly beautiful film, but one that I find hard to get through. Though Mikkelsen, who has no lines, completely commands the entire film and is a joy to behold. I’m very much looking forward to whatever Refn and he do next.
Valhalla Rising is now in IFC theaters and on demand.
What do you think about a Refn heist film with Mikkelsen as the lead?