Skarsgard dons 18‑month Weta wicker suit for quirky medieval rom‑com "Wicker"

The absurdist medieval romantic comedy 'Wicker', starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgard, opens worldwide on Wednesday, showcasing a hand‑crafted wicker suit that took 18 months to design.

Production

Weta Workshop in New Zealand spent about 18 months building the suit, which Skarsgard saw come alive via emails and video calls before trying it on two weeks before filming in Budapest. The costume’s make‑up time dropped from several hours to under two thanks to the team’s refinements.

Cast and Plot

Colman plays the Fisherwoman, an outcast yearning for a partner. She asks basket weaver Peter Dinklage’s character to craft a supernatural husband, which becomes the wicker‑made Adonis played by Skarsgard. Elizabeth Debicki appears as the Tailor’s Wife, leading a village campaign against the couple.

Themes

Both actors say the film gently tackles women’s roles, patriarchy and feminism while offering escapist humor. Skarsgard stresses the suit is practical, not CGI, and calls it a masterpiece.

Costume Details

Skarsgard explained the suit included glued pieces on his face, tiny lips and eyelashes crafted from flax and hair. He said the outfit felt far from organic, forcing him to exaggerate his movements, but the team cut the dressing time to under two hours.

Context

"Wicker" adapts Ursula Wills‑Jones’ short story "The Wicker Husband" and joins a wave of quirky period pieces that blend satire with social commentary.