The Legend of Tarzan comes out on July 1st, and Alexander Skarsgard really needs for it to be a hit. Not only did the film cost a crazy amount of money to shoot, re-shoot and endlessly edit, but no one is quite sure if Alex can actually open a movie. He’s never opened a film this size before, just sold on his name alone. Although to be fair, Margot Robbie is being pushed out front and center for this film, even though it’s not called The Legend of Jane! So Alex covers the new issue of Vanity Fair Italia, and while they used the wet-t-shirt photo for the cover, the rest of the shoot is mostly Alex dressed in nice clothes (you can see the editorial here). Anyway, Alex has been giving lots of interviews lately, so here are some of the most interesting quotes from a handful of his biggest interviews:

Alex’s early fame in Sweden: “To me that the taste of fame was not liked for nothing. The fact that my father in Sweden was a very popular actor helped to make me feel insecure. I wanted the attention of others, to have people laugh at my jokes, and I liked that the girls looked at me, found me cute, funny, charming. But I assumed that they were with me just because they had seen me in a movie. I could not bear it. ”

Turning 40 in August: “I do not know if it’s because of age or if it’s because of how it’s going in my career, but I’m happy. I loved being part of True Blood: it was seven wonderful years. And I miss my colleagues, there are times when I wish I were still on the set with them and playing the vampire Eric Northman. On the other side, it’s exciting to feel free. During its run, the series set my life’s agenda, and there were interesting opportunities that I had to give up.”

Whether he wants kids: “I have no children and am not married. But I come from a big family, I have seven brothers and sisters. The smallest is under four years old, I’m surrounded by teens and children. So, although I like the idea of having my own family, I’m in no hurry. ”

He adores Margot Robbie: “Margot and I had just a really deep connection from day one, we really found each other. What makes Margot so beautiful is not only that she’s a stunningly gorgeous woman, but that she is not vain, Margot is so down to earth and fun and that makes it even more attractive.”

The best kisser between Aussies Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman & Ryan Kwanten: “Out of the three I’ve got to say Ryan Kwanten is surprisingly a good kisser actually. He’s very tender. You wouldn’t think it because he’s kind of a tough guy but very soft, gentle, tender touch.”

[From The Daily Mail, Instinct & Vanity Fair/Tumblr]

I forgot that Alex is turning 40 this year. He seems, to me, like he’s still in his early 30s, but I’ve gotten used to the fact that I’m terrible at guessing ages. And now I feel a little bit sorry for Alexa Chung, but only if she’s thinking that Alex is going to marry her. He’s not! He does not sound like a man interested in getting married or starting a family any time soon. Maybe Alexa isn’t feeling it either, but it still sucks a little bit for Alex to be so publicly ambivalent when he’s actually got a serious girlfriend.

As for Ryan Kwanten being the best kisser… hmm…

Photos courtesy of Vanity Fair Italia.