German
Online interview http://www.skip.at
Translated by LoveyaBen
I am the fairy-tale prince
In the reality William and Harry of Great Britain where just recently chosen for the most beautiful heirs to the throne. And that’s the reason why we love the cinema – because here princes look like the 26 year old Ben Barnes. By the way he’s charming and clever, as well.
Not long ago Ben Barnes, born on the 20th August 1981 in London, was one of many – now he’s the Prince of the fan’s hearts.
Skip: How was it to play a Prince Charming? Could you get out from this role by your own choice?
Ben: Once a Prince, forever a Prince (grins). I mean, they gave me a horse, a sword and an armour and they built me a castle – how can I feel not like a prince? But no, the truth is I’m way too childish, to be looked upon as a prince permanently. My behaviour is very un- aristocratic at the most.
Skip: You’re a real „English Lad“ who loves to hang around in the pub with your friends, as we heard...
Ben: Yeah of course, I always have time for one or two Pints together with my henchman (grins).
Skip: There’s often a harsh conversation in british pubs – don’t you and your friends have to listen to lots of dumb jokes about your role as a Prince Charming?
Ben: They would never dare to do that – after all I’m the one with the enormous sword! (laughs). Well... a few jokes have already been told. Especially about my long hair, because my hair was always short in the past. But I always say to them:” Hey, I was paid for wearing them. Just go to your hairdressers and try to make money – I wish you the best of luck!”
Skip: Were you familiar with the Narnia Books before you’ve even known that you’ll be a part of the new film?
Ben: Yes of course, I loved them as a child. As I got the role I picked out my old Narnia- books again. There was my name on the first page, in my scrawly school handwriting (smiles). I was eight years old as I read them first.
Skip: You’re 26, Prince Caspian is a Teenager. Was it difficult to make yourself that young?
Ben: No not really, I play younger characters mostly. Actually I got my first “cool-teen” roles when I was 20 years old, because I was not cool enough for it when I was a Teenager (grins). Also I find that you can’t portray age. At some appropriate time you have to show your viewers how old the character concretely is. You can’t play that.
Skip: You’ve left your engagement and a theater-tour with the well-known British National Theatre as you were cast for Prince Caspian...Are you sorry about the step on the big screen?
Ben: Not yet (laughs). But, indeed it wasn’t a easy decision because I dreamed to be a member of that ensemble since I was a little boy. And than you’re dream comes true – and soon afterwards the next big dream stands in front of your door (laughs). But I just couldn’t throw a big chance like Narnia out, you don’t get offered a leading role in a Hollywood-Blockbuster every day. Also I made my second cast happy because now he has the leading role.
How did you became an actor?
Ben: It was relatively late, as I was 15 there came a few guys to our school to organise several theatrical performances for the summer holidays. And because Jude Law and Jamie Bell were there as well I wanted to try it as well – and I got the acting-virus. I studied drama and english at the University – and realised that I never ever would like to do something else than the acting.
Skip: What’s next? I can imagine you get a lot of offers at the moment...
Ben: Well there are a
lot of offers but I have a lot to lose and so I have to choose very good what
I want to do. My gut feeling has to be correct. And that’s the reason
why I chose my next movie – Easy Virtue – a Noel-Coward-adaption,
including Kirstin Scott Thomas and Colin Firth. And Jessica Biel plays my
wife – and as I heard that my gut feeling was right immediately! (laughs)
