This is a thank you to @alicetynan and @geekboy73 for their marvelous coverage of the Hobbit Press Conference that just ended.
A little gift from Alice:
We’ll have to be alert to when or if this is broadcast and definitely look for Darren’s and Alice’s coverage pieces.
Yep, I absolutely loved reading this interview. I’m with family today and can’t really weigh in on this as I want. Just know that I kept grinning while I read and almost said, “Aw!” out loud. :D
Richard Armitage: the warrior dwarf
TOM CARDY
THORIN OAKENSHIELD: Richard Armitage couldn’t imagine watching another actor play this role.With 13 dwarfs in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, audiences are expected by the film trilogy’s end to easily distinguish and recognise each one.
But if there’s one dwarf that will be easy to spot from the moment he appears on screen it will be Thorin Oakenshield, played by British actor Richard Armitage.
One reason is that Thorin is the leader and, going on a glimpse I got of the band of dwarfs on set during filming earlier this year, a heroic risk-taker. I couldn’t help but think that Thorin could be to The Hobbit what Aragorn – played by Viggo Mortensen – was in The Lord of the Rings.
Armitage, 41, laughs. It isn’t the first time he’s performed in The Hobbit. He was cast in a school production but the part wasn’t so heroic. “I was playing an elf. I was running around in circles being an elf in a forest and we had a papier mache dragon and a man off stage with a funny microphone for Gollum.
“So it was pretty much like the movie we’ve just made,” he jokes.
Armitage, who is doing the interview while in New York at the height of Hurricane Sandy – “I haven’t got any power or water but I’ve got a phone line” – is best known to Kiwis for his risk-taking heroic roles in television’s Spooks and Strike Back. He’s done a small number of movies, including a part in Captain America: The First Avenger.
But The Hobbit is likely to have Armitage exposed to the biggest audience of his career. As yet, he hasn’t dwelled much on what life will be like after the first film is released.
But he says he’s optimistic that he won’t be recognised often when out in public, due to the prosthetics and makeup used to transform him into Thorin. “Because 60 per cent of Thorin’s face belongs to Weta [Workshop], I might get away with it. People might recognise my chin.
“I haven’t really thought about it. At the moment I just want people to really enjoy the film and enjoy the character. If that means they want to come up and say, ‘Hi’ then that’s good. They might want to throw tomatoes at me in the street – but fair enough.”
Armitage first heard about The Hobbit after Sir Peter Jackson contacted the actor’s agent. Jackson asked if Armitage could read for the part of Thorin. “I thought, first of all, I’m six foot two [1.8 metres] and Thorin’s an old guy. Maybe they want me to read it for a general audition.
“But then when I read what they’d done with the audition speech I realised that they were looking for something quite different. They needed someone who could play a warrior, who could play a young Thorin and old Thorin and also to bring the idea of somebody who could return to his full potential to become a king. That’s when I sat down with Peter and we talked through the journey and the arc of the character – and then they offered it to me. I had to pick myself up off the floor.”
Due to the long shoot, Armitage says he had to then juggle other acting projects so he could spend a long time in New Zealand. He was determined to do it, even when there were several months when The Hobbit was in limbo due to the machinations involving the studios. “I just couldn’t watch somebody else playing this role that had nearly been mine. I had to play him. I had to do it– and at that point the film wasn’t green lit.
Read the rest here.
It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S., and despite all the bad news in the world, we are blessed and many of us want to share with others. My prayer is to find ways to do just that and in a manner that brings glory to the Almighty.
And thanks to TheQueen for the heads up. :D
Or maybe that should say Mumsnet invades the Vicar? However it went down, Dawn French had a little chat with the ladies at Mumsnet about Harry Kennedy among other things.
Yes, we’ve heard some of this before, but can you hear it too much?! :D
Dawn deep in thought or something like that. I quite like that she’s smiling.
Is it just me who would love to meet Dawn French, and it has nothing to do with Richard Armiatage?
And shhh, don’t tell anyone, but I have been reading the threads on Richard Armitage at Mumsnet for several years. They always make me laugh. I’ve been afraid to let anyone know for fear the ladies would become self-conscious and take their lovely humor away.
Thanks to RichardArmitageNet.Com for the heads up.
Photo from another chat at Mumsnet in 2010.
note: if all that we’ve been getting on Richard Armitage and The Hobbit this month is any indication, we’re going to drown in November, and what a lovely way to go.
Of course the Empire Magazine article is the first thing to bask in!
But after you’re done with that, where do you go?
Yeah, I have a suggestion. :D
I really enjoyed this interview:
Interview: Richard Armitage Talks “The Hobbit”
By Garth Franklin
With the release of the first “Hobbit” film, Hollywood is finally set to showcase a man that fans of British television have known about for years – Richard Armitage. In fact, the distinguished 41-year-old English thespian has already unwittingly assembled his own rabid fan base of swooning admirers affectionately nicknamed ‘The Armitage Army’.
It’s not hard to see why – with sharp features, a great head of hair, icy blue eyes and other impressive assets, he looks very much a star. He first came to attention with his leading role in the BBC’s 2004 version of “North and South”. He also played Macduff to James McAvoy’s Macbeth in the “ShakespeaRe-Told” limited series, and showed off a warmer side romancing Dawn French in the final episodes of beloved sitcom “The Vicar of Dibley”.
I became aware of Armitage for his leather-clad role of Guy of Gisborne in the BBC’s “Robin Hood,” from which he segued into the role of Lucas North on one of my favorite shows “Spooks” (aka. “MI-5”). Decked out in tattoos (as pictured below) to showcase his character’s seven years imprisoned in a Russian gulag, Armitage was a major cast member from the seventh to the ninth season of the long-running spy thriller. Demonstrating his best James Bond/Jack Bauer style skills before departing in dramatic fashion, he also slipped in a quick cameo on last year’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”.
*snip*
His early apprehension stuck with him during the first month of filming, the actor claiming “I didn’t really unpack my bag for about three weeks, ’cause I thought that I was going to be on the plane going home. But yeah, it’s worked out all right.” He also channeled that nervousness into his performance – “Bag End was the first week of shooting for this character, for me and for the other dwarves as well, and it feels so different. But it was good that it felt awkward. It felt like they were out of place because they are in that environment. Dwarves don’t belong in a cozy, domestic situation. They belong in giant halls and on a battlefield.”
Read the rest here
The comments in this interview are what I absolutely love about Richard Armitage.
When you’re done with that, look at Ali’s list of articles for today (October 25). Wow. Wow. Wow. I am so diggin’ this.
Whenever I see pictures of James “Jimmy” Nesbitt, I want to laugh. Not at him but at whatever is making him laugh. His frequent grin makes him immediately likeable, but honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first. Thankfully, over the last year or so, I’ve come to think he’s a good guy. Not a perfect guy (who is?) but someone personable and real. I began to understand this when those on The Hobbit set were saying how truly nice he is, “One of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.”
His recent interview in the Telegraph just continues the perception, and what I love is that he’s candid about his life without making anyone wallow in it. And I really appreciate he took his wife and kids with him to New Zealand and then admitted the kids weren’t crazy about it at first. Real, real and more real. Thank you, Jimmy. :D Plus, the whole time I was reading I could see his eyes smiling. Hmmm. I would bet when Dad gets serious those kids listen! LOL!
As of today, I have not viewed much that he’s been cast in, but I intend to change that in the near future! Until then, a few pictures to make it clear his eyes twinkle:
With his wife, Sonia
As Gabriel Monroe
As Bofur
Oh, and a must:
Dear Jimmy,
Next time you see your friend Dickie, please say hello for me.
Signed,
One of Dickie’s crazy fans
What a pleasure to speak with Todd Garner, Producer on Black Sky, about his new movie and about Richard Armitage, whom he says is “thoughtful and smart.” This should come as little surprise to fans since Richard has received praise from quite a few professionals during his career. Mostly due to his zeal to ensure the story is paramount and his character a perfect complement. His habit of writing character biographies has become almost legendary among fans and has prompted some to ask if he is a writer in the making. Garner thinks he is already there, “He’s an amazing actor but also a terrific writer even though he wouldn’t say that. He has come up with great moments not only for himself and others but for the movie. In fact we just finished shooting a moment he came up with that might be in the trailer.”
Black Sky is the story of a group of people in the midst of the worst tornado in recorded U.S. history. Richard plays a teacher caught up in finding his teenage son in the storm, and his preparation for the role could not be more perfect:
The moment when [the character biography] comes alive is when that research turns into the character, and that character goes out into the big wide world and collides with other characters (often the facets created in the biography are designed to cause chaos when this happens, like planting a few explosions inside the character).
Richard Armitage, Vulpes Libris interview.
Although Garner could not reveal much about the plot, it will be fascinating to see with which characters Richard collides whether people or the elements. And his reaction to Richard’s work on set seems to confirm that whatever the collisions, they are impressive, “He brings a great realism and weight to the movie that we wanted when we were casting. There is so much going on technically and with the story. It’s chaotic as it’s supposed to be since it’s a disaster movie. But it’s great to have an actor who in the midst of all of the chaos has complete control and still makes incredibly smart and surprising choices in his acting.” As for Richard’s speech, he will play an American from Oklahoma, and according to Todd, “He’s nailing the accent.”
Garner has also been impressed with Richard’s fans, “They seem very thoughtful, great and just cool. And it’s been fun. It’s a new experience for me since most of the people I’ve interacted with are comedians and fans of comedians.” He certainly didn’t seem to be the least bothered by fans coming to the set and explained, “Every movie with a star who’s beloved and with the internet making location shooting so well known, whether a Nicholas Cage movie, or a Tom Cruise movie, or a Kevin James movie, has fans who come to the set, and actors are for the most part grateful. Richard certainly feels that way and is happy to oblige. He’s a wonderful person who is very real and very giving and charming and hasn’t been put off by this at all. And everyone has been very respectful.” With the cast and crew working very hard on this movie, the only thing expected of the fans is to continue that respect, and I feel confident we will.
Regarding new pictures, Todd asks that we be patient with him and those working on the publicity for the movie who are trying to be thoughtful and intelligent about it. But it will probably be about two weeks when we get another photo. Considering how engaged he’s been so far, there should be no worries.
Todd Garner has served as producer on several well known movies such as Anger Management and Thirteen Going on 30. His next movie Here Comes the Boom starring Kevin James is due for release early October.
Photos courtesy of Todd Garner
Have you ever had an uncomfortable celebrity encounter? Oh, I never have [looks at heaven for possible lightning].
For those who have been so lucky, there’s a place to share the shame at the aptly named Awkward Celebrity Encounters:
I’m so glad, Abby, the blog’s owner, has made it available since it’s a balm for those recovering from a less than stellar experience. Of course I wouldn’t know anything about that. Just sayin’.
And now for the part where my curiosity kicks in ’cause I’m interested in everything and frequently compelled to ask questions.
So Abby, how did you get started drawing? Were you always attracted to caricature or cartoon drawing?
I’ve doodled and drawn comics since I was a teenager. In high school I did autobiographical comic strips to blow off steam and have a laugh with my friends and poke fun at myself and my family.
What gave you the idea for the blog?
I’ve actually had a number of awkward celebrity encounters myself. I like hearing other people’s stories, because an otherwise-normal person will react totally weirdly when they meet someone famous. Meeting a celebrity is a charged moment, maybe because our expectations come face-to-face with reality in a very confined space.
That’s so well put! Uh, well, it sounds like what it might be like. Anything else?
My greatest inspiration was probably the comic strip Pathetic Geek Stories, by Maria Schneider. I loved the format, where readers submitted their stories and she drew them as comics – it was almost like therapy. I use more of a mash-up style, combining my doodles with photographs of celebrities, because I lack confidence and I’m lazy.
Wow. That’s honest. And frankly, your honesty is what makes the drawings work so well, and I love the mash-up style. The juxtaposition is eye-catching.
Of course I also want to hear about your discovery of Richard Armitage and what you think of him. Always love to hear about that.
My British friend Laura came over for a girls’ movie-night-in, and she brought her “Vicar of Dibley” DVDs with her. Alas, they were British-region format discs and they wouldn’t play in my U.S. machine.
I was ready to suggest something else, but Laura had just come from work, so she whipped out her laptop computer and she was like, “I’m sorry, but you HAVE to see this.” So we hunched over on my sofa and watched Vicar of Dibley “Wholly Holy Happy Ending” on a tiny laptop screen without my ever having seen a single Vicar of Dibley episode before. Of course we were both laughing to the point of tears.
It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but later that week I watched “North and South” on Netflix Streaming and then RA had me hook, line and sinker.
Nowadays, Laura sees me coming and crosses to the other side of the street.
LOL! Ahem.
By the way, I wish I had read your advice for meeting celebrities before I met one. Not that it wasn’t great. It was wonderful, fantastic, what dreams are made of…[fingers crossed behind my back].
A little bio in case you want to know more:
Abby grew up in New York City, earning notoriety for angrily slamming her bedroom door in NYU faculty housing a record 5,047,863 times in a single week at age 14. She is now happily married to her own 6’2″, baritone-voiced dream, lives in Connecticut, and is devoted to her two young daughters (as long as nothing new has been posted to the “Richard Armitage” tag on tumblr in the past 5 seconds). She is literally the last person on Earth who doesn’t own a smartphone.
We need to talk about the smartphone, but thankfully she has a blog where you can track her down. You can also catch up with her on her other blog and on Twitter.
Note: hopefully next post is my celebrity encounter.
A report from a local in New Zealand:
I travelled to Wellington to see Ian McKellen’s one man show in support of a theatre in Christchurch which miraculously survived the big quake but the 10,000 after shocks has left the building needing a lot of expensive repair. My sister lives in Wellington so I was staying with her and she was coming to the show with me. There were rumours that the cast of the Hobbit would attend but I tried not to get my hopes up.
We arrived at the theatre and positioned ourselves on the stairs so we could see who was arriving. First we saw Martin Freeman and shortly thereafter Richard Armitage. He had a quiet demeanour and although he greeted some friends was left alone by the people in the lobby. He has a bit more hair on top, dark, and the beard is as we have seen before, perhaps a bit bushier. I think he was wearing the Spooks series 8 jacket – the one with leather trim along the raised collar. He was also wearing a thick black long sleeved Tshirt and black jeans. He took his seat a few rows back from the rest of the cast which seemed to include most of the kiwis, and Aidan Turner, Billy Connolly, James Nesbitt and Luke Evans. I was in the circle and couldn’t actually see him from my seat.
The show started and it was a magical show. It was definitely an audience who knew their Shakespeare and of course NZers are as fond of Sir Ian as he is of NZ. The first half of the show began with a passage from The Hobbit, and then he talked about JRR Tolkein and previous Hobbit productions, and wielded his sword which is very large and very beautiful. He then admitted that there are 2 versions of the sword, an aluminum one for fighting and a heavier one for ceremonial occasions. The audience was then invited to ask him any questions they liked, and it was a very merry story telling session until intermission.
Spotted RA again (it is helpful that he is tall) but he did not stay in the lobby long.There were a lot of people in the lobby, and I was feeling rather shy myself, so didn’t approach him.
The 2nd half of the show was all about Shakespeare with soliloquies from a number of plays. The audience loved it and there were some spellbinding moments.
AND THEN he invited the Hobbit cast on stage. I’m sure you can guess who waited at the back of the queue as they all climbed the stairs to the stage, and there was quite a number. RA was holding a collection bucket, as were other cast members and I started to get a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Members of the audience were then also invited on stage and Ian gave them some instructions we could not hear. What he was telling them to do was to fall down as if dead at a particular point in the next speech, which is what they all did. I took a video with my pretty poor camera which is now on You Tube. The One Ring Site has one with better audio, and the bows at the end, but mine has lightly more RA:
And then the show ended. We headed out to the lobby, and there were members of the cast with buckets collecting but no sign of RA. Luke Evans, James Nesbitt and Aidan Turner I spotted, but where was RA? After a bit of waiting we decided he must still be in the theatre stalls area, and headed in there. There was a large queue waiting to talk to Martin Freeman but only about half a dozen talking to RA. He was chatting to an expat English family while they all took photos with him. And then it was my turn. Summoning my courage I asked him if he would sign my book, a copy of The Hobbit of course. He said “Good book” and I said I had thought I should read it before the film came out. He asked me my name, and then said he would also put his character’s name after his signature in the book (being an unassuming chap he thought I wouldn’t already know-as if!). I asked if he had enjoyed his time in NZ, and he said he loved New Zealand. I said that I really enjoyed his performances and he said “oh bless you”. I then asked how much longer he would be Thorin and he said about a month. At this point (and yes, I did make a donation in the bucket while all this was going on) I was too shy to ask for a photo, but I was so thrilled to have had a short conversation with him that it felt like an imposition to ask him for a photo as well as the autograph. I wished him good luck with the rest of the filming, and moved on.
I think he may be very tired as they near the end of filming as he was very still. There was not an ounce of “movie star” in his manner. I wouldn’t say he was shy, but certainly not someone to push himself forward.
NZfanofRA
Thank you NZfan!
I feel the urge to start making grand pronouncements about this wonderful fellow we’ve all decided to follow, but I’ll try to refrain for now. Maybe our friend in New Zealand will be so kind as to fill us in on some things if we ask nicely. :D
But not for the reasons you may think.
Richard Armitage has managed to impress one of the toughest demographics — fan boys. Okay, it was one guy out of the demographic, but I’m running with it. I have encountered enough fan boys over the years to know how picky they can be. My first encounter taught me. He was into monsters and those monsters had to be just so. The right kind of plastic molded to perfection. He went on to become Ivan Stang. Excuse me that’s Reverend Ivan Stang, founder of the Church of the SubGenius. “Ivan” was going to have things his way. LOL!
So our resident fan boy, Eric Vespe, aka Quint from Ain’t It Cool, gave us his report and saw what so many of us see and rave about. How good it was to hear from someone else — and a hard case to boot:
It’s late in the day and the idea is that this is a suitable place to make camp, but Gandalf wants to push on and seek Elrond’s council at Rivendell.
This scene is all about Thorin and my first real chance at seeing Richard Armitage craft a layered performance with the character. Thorin’s a stubborn dwarf, very much a leader, but is smart enough to heed the council of Gandalf.
He is a man torn in this scene. His deep resentment at the elves (he believes they have betrayed his ancestors by not stepping in when they needed their help) pulls him one way, but his respect for Gandalf pulls him the other.
Sir Ian had to be here for this moment since a full performance was required from both men, so he spent the day as he does most days on this movie: standing on a platform a good 2-3 feet off the ground. Peter was getting mostly medium shots and over the shoulders (or beside the shoulder for the shots from Gandalf to Thorin if you want to be anal about it) so there shouldn’t be any need for digital augmentation here.
Armitage does a great job with Thorin’s inner struggle. The look on his face isn’t someone locked into a decision. Gandalf urges him to seek Elrond’s help, for the good of the quest. Instead of playing it like a stone-faced general, Armitage does weigh his options and mostly in reaction to Gandalf’s words, not in his own dialogue.
Read the rest of the report here
But that’s not all. He saw something that most of us don’t get to see often, Richard Armitage as himself, and I would say this is a glowing report:
https://twitter.com/#!/EricVespe/status/200719955501662209
Feelin’ the love!
Thank you, Eric. :) and if you read this, I have a question. Is fan boy two words or one?
RAFrenzy 