Correio Online Interview Here
Translated by Ingrid
Hall of Fame: Ben Barnes
He knows he’s considered a sex symbol
His face is plastered on every billboard with “The Chronicles of Narnia” posters. At 26, he’s already the prince of his generation.
With The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian you became a target of an enormous media exposition. What was your reaction when you saw your face on a giant poster?
First I was terrified. I was a little scared of the way things were going to turn out. Deep inside, it was a whirl of sensations. I felt a little bad because this is an ensemble film and not only about my character. At the same time it was good to know that they trusted my image to do this type of campaign.
Does that mean you will be turning, definitely, to the movies or the theatre is still going to be your world?
In reality I started in theatre, at 15, and it was from there that came all the training, but great experiences as an actor too. For that, I think I’ll always be connected to theatre. Although I have to enjoy the opportunities that the world of movies offers me, as they come along.
Do you think your debut as a protagonist in a role of a prince will be hard to overcome?
In fact, to start in the movies already with a role of a prince it’s not a bad thing. There are so many complaints out there, even though, ironically, the first offers I had after this project have been precisely… of princes. Of course I tried to avoid those roles.
Are you being offered many roles?
I don’t know if I have so many offers, but I have more offers now. Let’s just say that life is pretty good at the moment.
Do you intend to go Hollywood?
Not at the moment.
Do you know what it’s going to be your character’s development in the next film?
Maybe I’ll know when I receive the script… (Laughter).He’s really going to be a different man from the young Caspian we see in this film. For me it’s going to be almost like embracing a different character.
Getting into the personal matters, did you recently have an affair with Jessica Biel?
Yes I did, but only on film. It was in “Easy Virtue”, but it was a serious relationship. They’re in love from the beginning, but they start to realize that love is not enough. It was sufficient but intense.
Jessica is known as one of the sexiest women at the moment. Does she have any flaws? Do you have any complaints?
(Laughter)No, nothing. I tried to find some flaw, but I think she doesn’t have any. She’s perfect and really sexy. I agree entirely that she is the sexiest one of the moment.
Are you ready to be a sex symbol?
Of course, I’m waiting for that! (Laughter) Now seriously, I don’t know. I think it’s all a little ridiculous, but at the same time I have to confess I feel good about it.
What does your girlfriend think of that?
She doesn’t think anything, because I don’t have a girlfriend, at least not a serious one.
But you’re going to…
Let’s make a deal: When I get one, you ask me again and then I’ll answer it.
How was your relationship with the other actors, as they’re already working on the franchise for a long time?
We got on pretty well. They are like a small family, but I already feel part of it.
Don’t you feel like a big brother?
I think Will (Moseley) already has that title. At the beginning, I was just the “old one” of the group.
What are you going to do next?
I’ll start shooting a movie called “Dorian Gray”, that will be a completely different thing, more into the horror genre. In reality, I take the opportunities that I can’t refuse and try to avoid… the bad movies.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? In London or in Hollywood?
In London, definitely. I don’t mean to say that I cannot live a year in the United States, but it won’t be permanently. United States is for crazy people.
Are you ready for “paparazzi” camped outside your house?
I hope that doesn’t happen, even though they don’t know where I live. I wouldn’t like to be a target for gossip magazines.
Romantic Scenes
Is it true you lied about your horse riding skills?
No, they asked me during the audition if I had ridden a horse before and I said yes. Which I had, a long time ago, when I was about six or eight, but I thought that counted. I even have pictures of myself on a horse. They won’t get me for this one… (Laughter)
Anna Popplewell told me you had hair extensions for the movie, is that true?
Yes. She’ll hear me, but it is true (laughter). It’s just that at the time, I had short hair, but they saw me in a previous photo and told me that they wanted me with long hair. For that reason, I had to wear hair extensions. I had to do it for seven months and spend about seven hours for them to glue it all in. The worst thing was that the glue made my hair itch. It was like sleeping on Lego pieces, that’s why I’m letting my hair grow so I’ll have my natural hair when it’s time to start shooting the movie.
Did you feel sorry for having such a brief romance on film?
Yes, for it really was brief. Most of the romantic scenes ended up not being
on the final film. Anna Popplewell and I, we were really anxious for those
scenes, especially because they are not in the book, but we say that the romance
exists because the actors and characters have grown.
Profile
Benjamin Barnes was born in London, on August 20th 1981. At 16, he started acting by doing musicals. He even formed a group called Hyrise and made his movie debut in Stardust (2007), besides Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.
