In late 2024, the Varmlands Viking Center in central Sweden agreed to lend a reproduction Viking ship for a Hollywood film project called “Charlie’s Tale.” The vessel, named Glad av Gillberga, was built using traditional methods by local Viking enthusiasts and has been used at the center since 1998 to offer visitors an authentic maritime experience. The center was approached by Charlie’s Tale Ltd., a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, which required Viking-style ships for the production of Christopher Nolan’s film “The Odyssey,” despite its setting in ancient Greek mythology.

Following the ship’s return from filming in the Mediterranean, the boat was found to be damaged. Peter Olausson, chairman of the Varmlands Viking Center, reported a crack in the hull, damaged rigging, and the need for repainting. According to the contract, the production company was responsible for returning the vessel in good condition and covering repair costs aside from normal wear and tear. Volunteers at the center undertook repairs, but Olausson said that as of early 2025, Universal had yet to pay $6,000 invoiced for materials, excluding volunteer labor.

Olausson noted the outstanding payment had delayed plans to use the vessel during the summer and caused a loss of income for the small historical center. He expressed frustration over the lack of response from the film company and said he was uncertain how to proceed beyond bringing the issue to public attention. Despite these difficulties, Olausson said he enjoyed seeing the Glad av Gillberga featured in “The Odyssey,” having seen his ship on screen multiple times during the opening sequences of the movie.

Universal Pictures did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Varmlands Viking Center, founded in the early 1990s by a local group passionate about Viking heritage, remains a key cultural site in Sweden, offering educational tours and preserving maritime history through its reconstructed ship and village exhibits.