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.
