Alexander Skarsgard is set to star opposite Olivia Colman in Wicker, a twisted romance from directing duo Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Skarsgard steps into the role originally earmarked for Dev Patel, who was attached when the project was first announced in 2023.

The ensemble has also added Peter Dinklage and Elizabeth Debicki. The film, which has already completed production, is adapted from Ursula Wills-Jones’ short story The Wicker Husband. Fischer and Wilson penned the script and directed, with Oscar-winning cinematographer Lol Crawley (The Brutalist) behind the camera.

Described as an “unconventional, twisted romance”, the story follows Colman’s character — a smelly, single fisherwoman constantly mocked by her seaside village. Tired of the ridicule, she commissions the local basketmaker to create a husband entirely out of wicker. Their bizarre relationship soon ignites outrage, jealousy, and upheaval among the townspeople.

Wicker is produced and financed by Topic Studios and Tango, alongside Colman, Ed Sinclair, and Tom Carver of South of the River; David Michôd and Brad Zimmerman for Yoki, Inc.; and Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel of Votiv, who initiated and funded the project’s development, as well as Andrea Cornwell and Oliver Kassman.

The film adds another offbeat project to Skarsgard’s lineup. He recently headlined Apple TV+’s Murderbot and stars in A24’s BDSM rom-com Pillion (with Harry Melling), which premiered at Cannes to critical acclaim and is awaiting a U.S. release. He will also appear in A24’s The Moment alongside Charli XCX and Rosanna Arquette.

Directors Fischer and Wilson previously co-wrote and co-helmed the sci-fi comedy Save Yourselves!, which debuted at Sundance in 2020 and was picked up by Bleecker Street.