Mads Mikkelsen has had a career most actors only dream of—playing a Bond villain, starring in a Rihanna music video, and now working with his personal hero, Martin Scorsese. In a recent interview, the Danish star opened up about his upcoming Scorsese project What Happens at Night, calling the experience a true blessing.
“It’s a blessing to be working with him,” Mikkelsen said of the legendary director. “He’s someone I’ve admired my whole life, and to finally step onto his set is surreal.” While details about the film remain under wraps, Mikkelsen’s excitement is palpable. Scorsese, known for classics like Goodfellas and Casino—the latter of which leaves Netflix on June 1—continues to draw top talent.
The Last Viking: A Darkly Comedic Reunion
Before diving into Scorsese’s world, Mikkelsen is promoting The Last Viking, the latest film from Danish writer-director Anders Thomas Jensen. This marks the sixth collaboration between Mikkelsen, Jensen, and actor Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and it’s a wild ride. The story follows brothers Anker (Kaas) and Manfred (Mikkelsen). After serving 15 years for robbery, Anker is released and wants the money he asked Manfred to bury. But Manfred’s fractured mind has him living as John Lennon, complete with dramatic outbursts and a perm.
“What I love about Anders’ way of doing films is that it is unique,” Mikkelsen said. “There’s no one like him. You can definitely see a little Coen brothers there and a little Tarantino violence, but at the end of the day, it is his unique universe.” Jensen wraps big themes—life, death, good, evil—in mayhem and insanity, creating a tone that Mikkelsen finds irresistible.
Crafting Manfred: From Perm to Buster Keaton
Mikkelsen’s Manfred is a grown man stuck in a childlike state, a choice the actor made deliberately. “We didn’t want to put any specific diagnosis on this character,” he explained. “In this world, he wants to be a Viking when he’s a kid. That can be a metaphor for whatever you want it to be.” Manfred’s obsession with John Lennon is a survival tactic—he believes if he’s lovable like John, his brother won’t leave him again.
The actor’s physical transformation was equally intentional. “He’s somebody who’s not only mentally, but also physically and appearance wise, stuck in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Mikkelsen said, pointing to the out-of-touch glasses and curly perm. “My wife always freaks out when I do an Anders Thomas film because she knows I’m going to wear my hair a certain way for six months.” The perm, he admitted, was smelly but worth it for the character’s comedic and tragic layers.
Manfred’s overly dramatic behavior—jumping out of windows, crying for help—was inspired by silent film legend Buster Keaton. “He’s overly dramatic in that sense, but it’s also super funny,” Mikkelsen noted. The actor’s ability to balance humor and pathos is on full display, making The Last Viking a must-watch for fans of Jensen’s unique brand of storytelling.
Rihanna, Bond, and the Ultimate Cool Points
When asked which role earned him the most street cred with his son, Mikkelsen didn’t hesitate. “Being in the Rihanna music video for ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ scored more points with my son than being a Bond villain did,” he laughed. The actor played a menacing character in the 2015 video, a role that clearly resonated with the younger generation.
As for what fans want to talk about, Mikkelsen noted that projects like Hannibal and Another Round dominate conversations. But with The Last Viking hitting theaters and What Happens at Night on the horizon, the actor’s plate is full. For those looking to dive into more darkly comedic or intense fare, check out our list of perfect miniseries to binge in one night.
The Last Viking is now in theaters, and Mikkelsen’s collaboration with Scorsese is one of the most anticipated projects in Hollywood. If his track record is any indication, it’s going to be unforgettable.
