Now the last three episodes of "Andor", the "Star Wars" series on Disney+, are being released, which has been praised for bringing life to the space saga. Stellan Skarsgård plays Luthen Rael, who leads the rebels' uprising against the empire.
Skarsgård has made big roles in other so-called "franchises", such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Marvel". But this has been something special.
This is, without a doubt, the most fun franchise I've been involved in. This is an interesting and complicated role in a franchise. It's very unusual, says Skarsgård.
The series has a slightly more adult intrigue than usual in "Star Wars". Critics have also interpreted "Andor" as very political, with its clear struggle between authoritarian forces and rebels, a message that resonates with the new Trump era.
To Cannes
Stellan Skarsgård notes that "Star Wars" has always had this theme and that "Andor" was written long before Donald Trump came back to power in the USA.
I don't think he sees it. I hope he doesn't have time to see it because he has bigger problems than a TV series, says Skarsgård and smirks.
After marketing "Andor" around the world, Skarsgård stops at home before heading to the Cannes festival. He has a major role in Joachim Trier's new film "Sentimental value" which is competing for the Palme d'Or.
Skarsgård's performance has already received glowing criticism, but he himself brushes off talk of awards.
There's always a Twitterati that goes wild and then it's talked about Oscars. But it's a bit absurd. It's like a lottery.
"Not as fun"
He has always mixed big films with smaller independent films in Europe.
Yes, it's fantastic. I think I'm one of the world's most privileged actors, actually.
But his health has taken a hit. Three years ago, Skarsgård suffered a stroke, which he has only recently begun to talk about publicly. It occurred just before the "Andor" filming. He is restored, but not entirely.
I still have language problems. I'm not as intelligent and not as fun as I used to be. But I'm 73 years old, so what the hell, he says and laughs.
These days, he has to use an earpiece during filming. It's a prompter that I have in my ear, which reads my lines. But it goes well.
Age: 73.
Family: Wife and eight children, including actors Alexander, Gustaf, Bill, and Valter.
Breakthrough: The TV series "Bombi Bitt and I", 1968.
Swedish films: Including "The Simple-Minded Murderer", "Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg", "S/y Joy" and Agent Hamilton in two films and a TV drama.
International: Including five films with Lars von Trier, five films with Hans Petter Moland, five Marvel films, two "Dune" films, two "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, two "Mamma Mia" films, as well as "Will Hunting", "Angels and Demons", and the TV series "Chernobyl".
