Translation by LoveyaBen
Ben Who?"
Whether Prince Caspian. or Dorian Gray: You can see this Brit noticeable often.
It's high time for a talk.
British actor Ben Barnes, 26, could become - through the fantasy-hit „The
Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian" - the new world star like
Orlando Bloom for example. But he keeps cool. As we meet him in Prague for
an interview he has the distinction of being charming and witty...
VANITY FAIR ONLINE
British media already celebrate you as „the new Orlando Bloom“.
How do you like that?
Ben Barnes
That is of course very flattering, but massively exaggerated. Orlando Bloom
is a world star already.
I on the contrary just managed it to be a little bigger on a film poster.
VFO
Do you think that “The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian”
could work for you like the “Lord of the Rings” - trilogy worked
for Orlando Bloom?
B.B.
I don’t dare to dream of that. But apart from this: I am quite optimistic.
At least a few more film-people know my name – and when I’m at an
audition people don’t ask me constantly: „Ben Who?“
VFO
But you have pretty fibbed to get the role, haven’t you?
BB
(laughs) Yes, I'm afraid but I have to admit it. As I’ve auditioned they
asked me if I can ride and I just were very brave and said yes. During the
shooting in New Zealand the director realized immediately that I not really
was on the back of a horse before, not to speak of that I can ride. But he
took it with humor and sentenced me to a riding crash course on the very same
day. Thanks God I was very good in it.
VFO
Is it hard for a young, unknown actor to make the breakthrough to a hollywood
film?
BB
Most of all you have to have luck. Whether at the theatre – when you
get a small speaking role at last – or at the film, actually there’s
no big difference. And you are not allowed to rest on your laurels. Last year
I had a small part in the hollywood-film “Stardust”...
VFO
...but it’s a movie with Robert de Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer...
BB
...but don’t let it go to your head, because the film industry is extremely
fast moving. And it’s the same at the television. As I had my tv-debut
in “Doctors” two years ago it was a celebration – for me, my
friends, my family. Today no one talks about it.
VFO
Did you ever want to become an actor? You were a member in a boyband called
Hyrise, weren’t you?
BB
(laughs) O God, yes. That was one sin of my youth. But anyhow we did it into
the first round of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. But soon after that
we disbanded. And that was good because my big love is the acting.
VFO
But as an ex-boyband-member you surely have experience with screaming fangirls
already...
BB
To be honest: that kept within limits.
VFO
And now? Your face is on posters, pillars – last week I even saw you
on an bus in London. How do you feel about that?
BB
This morning my mother showed me the cover of the London newspaper “Telegraph”
and I was on it. For me it’s still as if my mother had copied my face
on it secretly just for kidding me. With one word: surreal!
VFO
Is there any possibility to prepare yourself mental for such a big success.
BB
Not really. Just a few months ago I had put up posters of the stage play which
I was acting in or in which I was the director. And now that mega-hype. But
I promised myself to see that all very relaxed.
VFO
Also the screaming girls?
BB
(laughs) Yes, them too. That’s also bizarre. As I was in Japan a few
weeks ago, on promotion-tour for “Narnia”, there were almost 200
girls at the airport waiting for me and when I arrived they filmed me screaming
with their cellphones.
VFO
What does your girlfriend think about that?
BB
Nothing, for I have no girlfriend at the moment. But for I’m a coming
moviestar I hope this will change soon (laughs).
VFO
So you are predestinated fort the wild nightlife in London?
BB
If only. When I’m in London I just have time to go for two beers in a
pub together with my friends. But mostly I’m on the way for filming.
I just finished a movie, a romantic comedy “Easy Virtue” with Jessica
Biel.
VFO
What sort of movie?
BB
It’s a screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel “The picture
of Dorian Gray”. And actually I am allowed to play Dorian Gray!
VFO
So you play the pretty boy who is forever young and instead of him his oil
– portrait is getting older and is rotting…
BB
A fantastic story.
VFO
And so modern.
BB
Yes the story includes anything what plays a big role in the media nowadays:
fame, wealth, the wish not to become older, betrayal… In my study-days
I couldn’t get enough of Oscar Wilde. There’s scarcely anybody who
beat him with esprit.
VFO
Do you remember a Wilde-Bonmot?
BB
Here my favorite - aphorism: As Wilde was asked why he’s in all-black
on his birthday he said:“ Why I’m wearing black? I am mourning for
the loss of another year!” I find that brilliant.
VFO
As an actor do you have paragons?
BB
O yes, many. Watching movies is my biggest hobby. I have a very impressive
DVD-collection. My absolutely favorite movie is this funny faked music-documentation
“This Is Spinal Tap”. Actors which I admire are changing almost
every week. Not long ago I had the pleasure to meet Robert Downey Jr. at the
“Iron Man” premiere. He impressed me a lot – as an actor and
as a human.
VFO
What do people need to impress you?
BB
Personality. People who have their own style are fascinating me. And people
with humour.
VFO
What’s your motto of the day?
BB
“Succes is the best revenge“. I even have a T-Shirt with that motto.
But there's a rub in it: If you have success finally you realize that revenge
has nothing to do with it. And that’s why I have a new favorite word:
Perspective.
VFO
Perspective?
BB
Yes, don’t let it go to your head, for heaven's sake! Don’t forget
the important things in life. I think I let tattoo the word Perspective on
my arm.
