In a broader discussion about his storied career and Oscar-contending role in next months Sentimental Value, Stellan Skarsgård discussed the stroke he suffered three years ago between the filming of the first and second Dune films and the two seasons of Andor, something that marked huge changes to his process and the way he works on set.
Can you tell me about the stroke and how it’s affected you?
I got really scared.When did it happen?
Three years ago. Between one and two of Andor and one and two of Dune. That was perfect timing. But I found a way. They have earpieces where you have a prompter that says the line. It’s not enough because I have my rhythm. They have to say their line on top of my line for me to be able to answer it. They have to say it very fast, very neutral. It takes a lot of training for that guy.Was this on Andor?
No, it was on Dune. You might say, “Oh, you’re lucky. You don’t have to learn your lines.” There’s more work now than there was before. Suddenly, I can’t come up with names. I can’t follow a thought or make an argument that spans several sentences that gets to the point — that, then bang! That is extremely frustrating. But on the other hand, I’m alive. I can work.
