Alexander Skarsgård has revealed the reason behind his unexpected grey wig, and it turns out his Wicker co-star Olivia Colman is partly responsible.

During a SAG-AFTRA screening and Q&A in Los Angeles on October 20, the actor appeared wearing a long, curly grey wig that closely resembled Colman's recent hairstyle. The resemblance was deliberate, and his explanation was considerably less serious than the dramatic transformation might suggest.

Speaking to Variety, Skarsgård joked that he had become jealous of all the compliments his co-star was receiving for her hair, while his own had apparently gone unnoticed.

He playfully described himself as a narcissistic actor in need of attention, explaining that the grey wig was his solution to being overlooked.

But the wig wasn't his only tribute to Colman that day.

Later on October 20, at the film's official Los Angeles premiere, Skarsgård changed into an entirely different outfit: a black top featuring an image of Colman, paired with a colourful pleated skirt by London fashion label Chopova Lowena.

He told Variety that he wanted to wear something special for Colman as their promotional tour approached its conclusion. The actor also praised the comfort of his skirt, particularly in the warm Los Angeles weather.

The distinction between the two appearances matters: the grey wig was worn at an earlier screening, while the Colman-inspired outfit appeared at the evening premiere. Both looks were part of the same playful promotional campaign, rather than a single red-carpet transformation.

Skarsgård had already experimented with unconventional fashion during the Wicker press tour. At the London Film Festival on October 8, he appeared in a metallic gold Saint Laurent suit and transparent shoes, later joking about the attention his exposed toes had attracted.

Behind the increasingly eccentric outfits is an equally unusual film. Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, Wicker stars Colman as an ostracised fisherwoman who commissions a local basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to create her a husband. The resulting wicker man, portrayed by Skarsgård, disrupts the conventions of their medieval village.

According to Reuters, the character's elaborate woven costume was developed by New Zealand's Wētā Workshop over approximately 18 months, with practical effects rather than CGI used to bring the creation to life.

Wicker begins its limited theatrical release in the United States on October 23, 2026, ahead of a wider rollout on October 30.