Universal Pictures has denied claims that it failed to pay for repairs to a Viking ship used during the filming of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey.
In a statement, the studio said all invoices related to the vessel had already been settled. He said: “Our records show that all invoices relating to the Glad av Gillberga were paid in full, including repairs. The studio and the production have contacted the association to clear up any misunderstanding.”
The dispute centres on the Glad av Gillberga, a replica Viking ship rented to the production by the Swedish non-profit Värmland Vikingaleden Association. The association’s chairman, Peter Olausson, claimed Universal paid only the rental fee and did not cover the costs of repairing wear and tear sustained during filming.
Olausson said the repairs would cost about $6,000 and criticised the studio, arguing that the amount was insignificant compared with the film’s reported $264.1 million opening weekend box office earnings. He also said he hoped the issue was simply an oversight but claimed he had not received a response after sending several emails to Universal.
Universal, however, maintains that all payments, including repair costs, have already been made and said it has contacted the association to resolve what it described as a misunderstanding.
