Thursday 12 January 2012

"I sort of know how he thinks"

MTV.com has just published a new interview with Richard Armitage from the set of The Hobbit.
For the first time, we hear about Richard's journey with the film and expecially how he has become so very familiar with the character of Thorin Oakenshield.
A few quotes from the interview:

"It's been the best thing I've ever worked on in my life, by far."

"I think this is one of those characters that always stay with you because you spend so much time with him and it's such a transformation. I'm in the character every day, and I've become so familiar with him. I sort of know how he thinks."

"I think that's the beauty of Tolkien. He does create very well-rounded, quite dangerous characters to play his protagonists. He risks scaring kids."

"I grew my own beard after the first block because I felt that it was restricting my face. The jaw is so connected to emotion that I wanted to have that free. It made such a huge difference."

"When Thorin assembles the quest, he pulls dwarves from all different places to go on this quest. That's mirrored in who we are as actors."

Read the full interview here:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677131/richard-armitage-hobbit.jhtml

The 13 dwarves with Richard as Thorin Oakenshield


8 comments:

  1. I suspected that the main reason he had less prosthetics was that PJ and now we see in consultation with RA, realized RA uses his whole face to convey whatever emotion, motivation, etc. the character has. I'm glad they decided to give him more 'freedom of expression'. This was a really great interview; to get to hear RA's take on Thorin and on how he is approaching the character and the impact this is having on his life. I'm sure there are many more to come. That he was cited so quickly as one to watch is a sign of things of the whirlwind he is already entering; This is about to get CRAZY!!! Today, I'm having a hard time not being an RA blogger, let me tell you!!!

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    1. RA can express so much emotion in his facial expression. I'm sure PJ would want to make the most of that. Smart move, PJ!
      You're right, things are about to get crazy. They seem to have started to put together 'the brand' Richard Armitage. I hope he's prepared for the whirlwind!!

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  2. Absolutely loved this interview. It covered new ground and it's always a treat to get into RA's thinking process. The quote "He (Tolkien) risks scaring kids" reminds me of a 2009 TV interview I just rewatched which was promoting Robin Hood. There's a discussion about kids liking to be scared. That bit comes in at about 2:48. Here's a link:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA57Hp8tFJ8&feature=youtu.be

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    1. Oh, I love that interview, thanks for reminding me!
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA57Hp8tFJ8&feature=youtube

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  3. Yay! Wonderful interview & hopefully the first of many. I love it when he talks about his approach to playing Thorin & the 'craft' of his acting. A very insightful piece. I'm also glad they reduced the face make-up so he can be more expressive as that is one of the things that makes him such a good actor. Lovely to hear he's having a great time on set as well - I'm sure that'll show in the finished product. Roll on December 2012! Thanks for sharing Inge :-)

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    1. I know, this makes me even more excited about finally getting to see the finished product - can't wait!

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  4. I love the quote about the actors coming from different places in their lives and the world mirroring the band of Dwarfs and the Hobbit coming from different places.
    Cheers! Grati ;->

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    1. Yes, it sounds like they've really become one happy family and are having great fun. I'm so happy that Richard's enjoying himself!

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