Swedish Viking Ship Owner Claims Film Studio Abandoned Repair Costs

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 24, 2026

The Swedish nonprofit Vikingaleden, owner of the replica Viking ship Glad av Gillberga used in Universal Pictures’ film The Odyssey, claims the studio has not paid $6,000 in repair material costs incurred after the vessel was damaged during filming. This unresolved payment dispute, despite the film’s box office success, underscores challenges in managing cultural heritage artifacts involved in major movie productions.

The Swedish owner of a replica Viking longship used in the Hollywood film The Odyssey has raised concerns over alleged unpaid repair costs following the vessel’s use by the film’s production company, Universal Pictures. The Glad av Gillberga, a warship replica based on a 1040-era find from Denmark’s Roskilde fjord, has sailed extensively for nearly 30 years, including voyages across the North Sea, the Baltic, and to Canada.

Peter Olausson, chair of Vikingaleden, a nonprofit Viking center in Värmland, western Sweden, which owns the ship, said the vessel sustained significant damage during the six months it was in Universal’s possession. Reported damage included harm to the stern and mast. According to Olausson, Universal assured the association it would cover the cost of any necessary repairs, but the promised reimbursement has not been received.

Vikingaleden invoiced Universal for materials used in repairs, amounting to about $6,000. The association emphasized that the invoice only covered material costs, excluding any labor contributed by volunteers. Despite the film’s reported success—taking approximately $264 million during its opening weekend—Vikingaleden said no payment has been forthcoming more than a year after the repairs were completed.

“We are only charging for the material cost, not the labour,” Olausson stated. “Of course Universal can afford this $6,000. We feel forgotten.” He also expressed disappointment over what he described as a broken agreement, under which the association would carry out repairs with the expectation of financial reimbursement. The $6,000 sum, while modest for a major studio, is significant for the 200-member group that operates the Viking village and museum.

A Universal spokesperson responded by asserting that all invoices related to the Glad av Gillberga, including those covering repairs, have been settled in full. The studio said it has reached out to the association to address any misunderstandings.

The Glad av Gillberga has since returned to active service under Vikingaleden’s stewardship. The dispute highlights tensions that can arise when cultural heritage props and replicas are used in large-scale film productions, where cost and logistical expectations may differ between the parties involved.

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