Universal Studios denies unpaid bill for Viking ship used in The Odyssey

Universal Studios has rejected claims by a Swedish heritage group that it failed to pay for repairs to a Viking ship used in its blockbuster film The Odyssey, stating all invoices have been settled in full.

The vessel, Glad av Gillberga, was chartered by the studio for director Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic. After filming, the ship was returned with damage, including a cracked hull, a replaced rig, and a need for repainting. The local non-profit association Vikingaled, which owns the ship, carried out the repairs and billed Universal $6,000 (approximately 58,000 SEK) for materials alone.

Vikingaled chair Peter Olausson told SVT Värmland the sum remains unpaid. “It’s frustrating that a major studio would leave a non-profit to cover costs it agreed to take on,” he said. “For them, it’s pocket change. For us, it’s significant.”

A Universal representative told The New York Times that records show all invoices related to Glad av Gillberga, including repairs, have been paid. The studio added it has contacted the association to clarify any misunderstandings.