Friday 30 November 2012

Thirty Days to Thorin (13) - Richard and Richard

 
For a while now, I've been wondering whether Richard Armitage is still thinking about playing King Richard III. Richard was named after the English king as he was born on 22 August, the day Richard III was killed in the battle at Bosworth Field in 1485.

A few years ago, Richard was planning to create a film to redeem the wronged King and restore his reputation. The fans loved the idea and have been rallying support for this project ever since. But with everything that has happened in Richard's career over the last few years and months, does Richard still have Richard on the brain? Or has he moved on?
Someone on that Red Carpet for The Hobbit in Wellington had obviously done their homework on Richard and asked him that very question. And I could not be happier about his reply... notice the twinkle in his eye and that small sigh of regret when he is confronted with the memory of Richard III... *runs off to watch the video again* 


Video uploaded to Youtube by Britu 21
 
Would you like to know more about King Richard III? I would recommend the excellent historical novel The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, which was actually a great favourite of RA's father.

Would you like to support Richard and make his dream of playing Richard III a reality? Sign the petition at http://kingrichardarmitage.rgcwp.com/

7 comments:

  1. Still hoping he makes a Richard III production, too! He could play a number of other of the characters, if not Richard P - Warwick, or even Clarence.

    fitzg

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    1. Yes, RA would make a wonderful Warwick. And the irony of him playing The kingmaker who betrayed RIII would not be lost on me, nor on RA, I'm sure! But still, I wouldn't mind it if he plays RIII himself - It's about the story and the history, not necessarily about getting all the details right.
      Thanks for your comment!
      x

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  2. Over in #RA4R3 tweet chat about "The Sunne in Splendour" on Sunday nights at 9pm EST for onehour, several of us think that RA would make a dynamite Richard, Earl of Warrick, The Kingmaker.

    Because Richard III dies at 33 from a poleaxe, most of the books' action takes place during his teens and twenties. I like to visualize this portrait of a "young RA" when I'm reading about Richard III:
    http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Richard/Promos/Miscellaneous/5-Richard-date-unknown.jpg

    And that R3 dies young shouldn't be spoilers for anyone, if they know their history. Ha!

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    1. They managed to turn our tall man into a dwarf! I'm sure it wouldn't be so hard to make him look slightly younger... In those days, a man of 30 was already quite old, so I'm sure we could translate that to a man in his early 40s for this day and age...
      But I agree, he would make an excellent Kingmaker as well!
      Love that picture, Grati! x

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  3. What's wonderful about his new level of success is that he may be able to push for some part in projects he's passionate about. If he doesn't play a part as an actor he may choose to help direct or even instigate the project. I think his influence has just grown exponentially with his recent experience working with PJ.

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    1. You could be right, Trudy. I would love to see RA on the screen as RIII, of course, but if he decides to direct or produce instead, I'll still be there to support him. This is such a wonderful story that deserves to be told. Fingers crossed that he can use some of that new-found influence to make it happen!

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  4. Thank you very much, IngeD3!!!
    Like you, I am outcome-open for whatever RA likes to do with the Richard III project. It in any case is a fascinating endeavor where I am sure he brings the best qualities to succeed with everything he will do and will reach a fascinating outcome.
    I so hope his project will come to fruition!

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