Vikingaleden Accuses Universal Pictures of Unpaid $6,000 Ship Repairs

The Swedish non-profit association Vikingaleden is disputing an unpaid $6,000 bill for repairs to the replica Viking ship Glad av Gillberga. The vessel was used as an escort ship during the six-month production of Christopher Nolan's film The Odyssey in the Mediterranean. According to the association, the ship returned with a cracked hull and damage to its mast, stern, and rigging.

Peter Olausson, chair of Vikingaleden and the Värmlands Vikingacenter, stated that while Universal Pictures paid a rental fee of approximately $41,000, the studio reneged on an agreement to reimburse material costs. Olausson noted that the association reduced the bill from $9,000 to $6,000 to settle the matter and is only charging for materials rather than volunteer labor.

Universal Pictures denied the allegations, asserting that its records show all invoices relating to the Glad av Gillberga, including repairs, were paid in full. The studio stated it has contacted the association to resolve the misunderstanding.