Smart Pop Books has made a name for itself in recent years with collections of essays devoted to everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Battlestar Galactica. Penned by some of the genre’s leading critics and writers, Smart Pop’s anthologies have won a huge following among lovers of pop culture. The publisher’s latest volume — A Taste of True Blood (edited by Leah Wilson and based on the hit HBO show) — is due out tomorrow, June 29th. In it you’ll find, among the book’s many essays, one penned by FEARnet’s own Joseph McCabe examining the relaitionship between Bram Stoker’s Dracula and True Blood (entitled “Pure Blood”), as well as an enlightening analysis of Bill Compton by writer Jonna Rubin, entitled “Sookeh! Bee-ill! and the Downfall of William T. Compton”. For an exclusive excerpt from the latter essay, hit the jump now.

And then there is Eric. Oh, Eric. Who else can make track pants and flip flops so sexy? Sure, the guy might sport foils and lament that Pam, his longtime partner and progeny, is going to kill him for getting blood in his famously blond locks, but no mind. Consider the fact that he sullied them while ripping the limbs off of a man during an angry snack, and the situation is significantly less wimpy than it appears. Highlights: the new instruments of masculinity? Well, hardly, but on Eric Northman, everything is manly.

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As the striking Viking Eric Northman on ‘True Blood,’ Alexander Skarsgård never fails to make you take notice when he’s onscreen, even when he’s delivering his lines in the most deadpan, laconic way possible — he’s just that riveting.

So what’s the man behind the vamp really like? As it turns out, he’s a down-to-earth guy who loves punk rock and science fiction, and doesn’t mind nudity (we kinda guessed that last one). Skarsgård, 33, spoke with PopEater about season three of ‘True Blood,’ how he showed up in a Lady Gaga video and stripping down for the camera.

True Blood > Season Three > Season 03 Screencaptures > 3×03 – It Hurts Me Too

Eric!Book, welcome! I’ve been waiting for you since first season!

So, what did you think about last night’s episode?

“True Blood” stud Alexander Skarsgard is attached to star in “The Elephant,” an oil-rig thriller from director Hans Petter Moland (“The Beautiful Country”), packaging agent Paul Schwartzman has confirmed to TheWrap.

Schedule permitting, Skarsgard is set to play a Norwegian roustabout who tangles with a redneck American driller. The two men bond while attempting to shut down a terrifying oil rig explosion.

No, it’s not about current events. The script, by Petter Skavlan, was inspired by Magnar Jonsgaard’s novel “Black Rain,” about Americans drilling for oil in the frigid and often lethal North Sea, where Jonsgaard worked on several oil platforms during the ’70s.

The film takes its title from a slang term used to describe an oil field that produces at least 500 million barrels.

Casting is currently under way for three American stars.

Studio Babelsberg will co-produce with Norway’s Monster Film and Northern Alliance Group, while The Little Film Company will handle sales. “The Elephant” is scheduled to begin production either in late autumn or early 2011.

Source: The Wrap

Official trailer for movie “Puss”, with Alex and Gustaf Skarsgard.

This just in and HOT off the press: HBO has just announced that they will be renewing our favorite show, True Blood. For those of you who were holding your breath, you may breathe now.

LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2010 – HBO has renewed the hit show TRUE BLOOD for a 12-episode fourth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Created by Alan Ball, the series will begin production of new episodes early next year in Los Angeles, with debut set for summer 2011.

“The new season of TRUE BLOOD is off to a terrific start, as enthusiasm for this unique show continues to build among both subscribers and critics,” noted Lombardo. “We’re looking forward to more chills from Alan Ball and his gifted team next year.”

“I am beyond thrilled to be able to continue working with this amazing cast and crew,” says Ball. “This is the most fun I have ever had.”

Here’s screencaptures of the fresh new True Blood episode. Oh all this Sookie/Eric goodness.

Television Series > True Blood > Season Three > Season 03 Screencaptures > 3.02 – Beautifully Broken

Video will be up soon!

Alexander Skarsgard has landed a starring role in the upcoming film “Battleship.” The sci-fi film is being produced by Universal and is an adaptation of the popular Hasbro board game.

Skarsgard will star alongside Taylor Kitsch in the action-adventure movie that has a twist of sci-fi added in for a fresh feel. The film follows an international fleet that is assembled to battle an alien naval armada from another universe. Skarsgard will play the role of a straightforward naval officer who is idolized by his wild-hearted brother, Kitsch. “Hancock” director Peter Berg is in charge behind the camera on the film, with the script having been written by Jon and Erich Hoeber.

Skarsgard’s role in “Battleship” will be his first major studio film in America. He has done movies in his native Sweden before and made his first impression on American audiences in HBO’s “Generation Kill.” He currently wows audiences with his role as a vampire sheriff on “True Blood.” airing on HBO.

Source: Heat Vision

We just saw the first episode of Season 03, but the cast is already shooting the season finale. SpoilerTV has some on set pictures, and I added to the gallery, but with a spoiler sign in it, in case you don’t want to see it. In case you do, just go to our gallery.

True Blood > Season Three > Season 03 Extras > Season 03 Finale – Behind the Scenes

All I have to say is: OH MY GODRIC!