Photo: Toby Canham/2011 Getty Images

Alexander Skarsgard. Photo: Toby Canham/2011 Getty Images

Alexander Skarsgard is ditching his fangs for a horned helmet. According to Variety, the True Blood actor will star in and co-produce The Vanguard, a Viking epic for Warner Bros. that the studio is hoping to position as a major tentpole in the vein of Gladiator and Braveheart. Playwright Chris Boal is writing the script, which centers on two Viking brothers who are trying to return to Sweden from North America; since Skarsgard’s True Blood character Erik was once a Viking, too, the role shouldn’t prove to be too much of a stretch. Perhaps it’s time for another Skarsgard brother to make the leap to American stardom! Gustaf, this is your moment. [Variety]