Just an FYI about the entirety of the interview, Barnes recently starred in an adaptation of Dorian Gray, which is an old novel with adult subject matter. The interview got interesting though, for Narnia fans when the subject turned to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I’ve censored the interview a bit to keep it family friendly, but if you want to, you can read the whole article at the source.
Have you finished the new Narnia film?
Yes, a few weeks ago. It was great. The character’s more grown-up and, because I’ve had more film-making experience myself, I was able to bark orders at the sailors in the film with conviction. There’s more joy and fun in this one. It’s a better story than Prince Caspian, which maybe took itself a bit too seriously.
Prince Caspian won you a fan base of teenage girls. What’s that like?
I’m not consciously trying to do anything to change it. I just go for the best stories I can find and do the things I’d watch myself. It’s great to have people supporting me. It gives me the opportunity to do other stuff. It might draw an audience who are fans of the bigger films to things they might not otherwise watch.
So you’re not looking for a vampire project to keep in with the fans?
No, although I’ve been offered a few. I never have any clue what’s going to be next. I don’t know what I want to do until I read a script, which is one of my favourite parts of the job. I’m doing a comedy called Killing Bono now.
One reviewer called you ‘Britain’s drippiest leading actor’. Does that bother you or do you take it in your stride?
No, it bothers me. The art of critical film appreciation has really gone down the toilet. You either have to champion a small film to be noticed or smash other films to pieces in the most cruel way you can think of. But if you don’t believe the really good things people say and don’t believe the really bad things, it all balances out. You make the film for the people who want to go to see it, not for people who are going to write about you.
What’s been your most extravagant purchase?
I collect original 1980s film posters, which is a bit of an extravagance. It took me ages to find one for Back To The Future, there are loads of Back To The Future II.
If you were a kangaroo what would you keep in your pouch?
We shot Voyage Of The Dawn Treader in Australia, where we met loads of kangaroos. The joeys don’t look very comfortable. Their legs and arms stick out of the pouch and you can’t see their heads. I’d keep my iPod in there. I’m listening to loads of 1970s and 1980s punk stuff at the moment.
Well, that’s an interesting ineterview, especially that bit about the kangaroo, what’s up with that, anywho? Thanks for posting it – and for editing it!
I’M PART OF THAT FANDOM!!!!
And I’m so seeing Killing Bono lol.
Ben Barnes= <3
haha 🙂 that was interesting
& the kangaroo part, yeah that was random ~
“I’m listening to loads of 1970s and 1980s punk stuff at the moment.” -total different music taste right there P:
OMG Can’t wait till voyage of the dawn treader. Reading the book at da moment!!!! Ben Barnes is actually AMAZING!!!!
He so totally is!!!! By the way thanks for editing, that interview got a little CRAAAAZY!!
Sweet interview! What’s with the whole kangaroo bit????
His swearing totally kind of made me dislike him even more. As an actor, he’s alright, but the swearing never does it for me. Interesting interview, it seems he enjoys his work.
i haven’t had a chance to comment on this interview very good 🙂 i think ben has a wonderful talent, can’t wait to see him in VODT
Interesting interview. I don’t like Barnes, though, and I don’t like him in the role of Caspian AT ALL. They should have picked a BOY, not a man, with blond hair and a British accent. And the pictures of him with a beard and long hair…ugh.
When we read the book, a boy seems like he’d do fine against his uncle, but in reality that premise falls apart. An older Caspian is actually a more realistic storyline. If Miraz was able to work his way into his position by deception and power, there’s just no way a child would be able to out-wit him.
The weird and random questions that are posed in interviews tend to amaze me! Less than 11 months to go!
It’s the Narnia air…. it does something to you. 😛
I personally think that in reality, lions wouldn’t talk either. I personally don’t like Barnes as Caspian all too much, but I wished he was at least a bit younger. And I think it was appropriate for his accent–he is a Telmarine after all.
GOD I love Ben hes one the most amazing people I have ever met sigh he’s also very witty which I find sooo sexy xoxo
I love Ben Barnes. I love the Narnia books and I was actually surprise to see a dark haired Caspian in the film that I had to read it again to make sure I remember the story right. And they did changed it. I think it was a good change as the book story would have made it kind of dull when put on the big screen. Ben, for his age looks really young and I agree with Paul Martin that an older Caspian is more realistic. Besides the story did tell that Caspian was at least the same age with Peter. I am so looking forward to this next Narnia. I can’t wait for all the other books especially the ones that would show an older Peter and Susan like in the Horse and His Boy!
Really sorry ‘Peter’ is absent from the film….he has always been the fam favorite!!!!