Subway.de Interview here

Translated by LoveyaBen

Ben Barnes talks about religion, action, boybands and „The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian“

„There's no sure formula for the dealing with fame.“

His showbiz-career began with a boyband called Hyrise which appeared in the first round of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. Two years later Ben Barnes had his debut in the hospital- serial “Doctors”. A minor part in the fantasy-movie „Stardust“ , and now the leading role as a dashing Prince.

- Mr. Barnes, how have you got the role of the Prince?
Ben: I was on stage in a London theatre playing the “History Boys”, there a casting-scout detected me. They were searching for an actor for that role for a long time. – and at some point they just said We will simply take the next one (laughs). Thereafter I went to the audition and just a few weeks later I got the role. That all happend so fast, particularly for a movie with such a dimension.

- How familiar are you with the books of C.S Lewis?
Ben: I’ve read the books as an eight year old boy and I was a big fan of the BBC – series. And later when I was at the university that things came across me again. I’ve studied drama - sciences and literature. My thematic priority was children's literature, that’s why I was reading the books of J.K. Rowling, Tolkien and Lewis most intensive.

- Why of all things were you interested in children’s literature?
Ben: Most of all because of laziness, books for children are simply shorter!

- Why are these fantasy-stories so popular?
Ben: There are several reasons: The heroes have the right age. They pass conflicts, which are easily comprehensible for anybody. They get in moral conflicts which they have to overcome. And they are symbols for the the good thing – and that’s why they are attractive.

- What’s your opinion about the religious message of Narnia?
Ben: These religious emlements are most of all presentin the first part, “Prince Caspian” is rather about morality – and in my opinion that’s not bad for such a big movie. All that happens not pushy but between the lines. Those who want none of these allegory things will have fun anyway.

- How was it for you to be suddenly a part of this big Narnia-Universe?
Ben: As distinct from the audience, who is able to plunge in this mysterious world completely, I was confronted with the hard reality while the shooting. The director said: Just imagine this castle will be three times bigger later! Different to most of the other fantasy-movies we had not only this green screen in which you can copy in all the things later. We had real models of all scenes.

- Many of the team members were already familiarly with each other – how did you feel as the newbie?
Ben: Anna, William, Skandar and Georgie, the four Pevensie siblings, accepted me immediately. As you know Caspian and Peter are ambitiously in the movie, the rivalry between them is very big. In a way it was the same between me and William. We were on very good terms with each other and we have a similar sense of humour, but we are both very ambitiously as well.

- How big was your commitment in the action-scenes?
Ben: I had great riding teachers from Spain I trained six hours a day. And I trained the swordplay with stuntman intensive as well – but that all is exactly the dream of every boy: riding, fencing and hunting the bad guys.

- What other boy-dreams do you had?
Ben: As I was 13 years old I wanted to become a famous sportsman, I played Cricket and Soccer. Two years later, as all of my mates - in contrast to me - were getting their first beards, I began with the singing and the acting.

- Are you mourn after the early sudden end of your boyband-career?
Ben: My music-career lastet just four minutes! (laughs) But it was a beautiful experience, which already helped me as an actor.

- How good are you prepared for the fame?
Ben: There’s no receipt how to deal with the fame. I’m relaxed and I’ll wait and see. It would give me great pleasure if as much people as possible are interested in the movie and if there will be new offers as a hence. I want to play as much different characters as possible.

- How do you feel about yourself as a toy of the merchandising?
Ben: My friends always tease me with the fact that I’m up for sale as a doll. And I always talk back that I am not a dool I am an action figure! I am not Barbie, I am Action-Man! I like the video game pretty well, I look very cool in it!

- What souvenirs have you taken along of the Set?
Ben: Just a little silver- torch – but next time I’ll take along more souvenirs anyhow! (laughs)

- Have you already signed for more Narnia-movies?
Ben: Yes, shooting will begin in November, in the next episode my role is similar big as in “Prince Caspian”.

- What’s your career-plan?
Ben: I just want to play roles which I’m think I’m capable of. So I never will be a Bruce-Willis-Type. The diversity is important for me. For the rest my ultimate ambition is the world domination.