Ben Barnes Appreciation #6: Because Ben is the king of our dreams!
 

Heralded as the next Orlando Bloom, Ben (Benjamin) Barnes is the multi-talented English actor who is best known for his portrayal as Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia film series, based upon the bestselling books written by C.S. Lewis. Although his major success as Prince Caspian has been recent, Ben is no stranger to the entertainment industry.

Though he'd probably prefer steering clear of this information in interviews, Ben was also briefly a member of the boyband Hyrise, competing to represent Britain in Eurovision 2004. As Ben remarks, his pop career lasted "about four and a half minutes" until he decided to quit the group. Looking back on the experience now, he states "I am thrilled we didn't win. Otherwise there is a small chance that I would not be sitting here."

Ben's interest in singing eventually gave way to his larger interest and love for acting. He says he first realized he wanted to be an actor around the age of sixteen when he began taking part in school plays. Ben was a part of the National Theatre's production of 'The History Boys' when he was approached to audition for the role of Prince Caspian. Upon finding out he had won the part, Ben had to make the tough decision of leaving the Theatre.

However, without any regrets, he claims that getting the part of Caspian was "a dream come true...just one of those life-changing moments". Despite the enormous sucess following the release of the latest Narnia film and the raving reviews, Ben humbly insists that "to be a working actor at this point is just a tremendous privilege."

Ben Barnes is a hardworking, genuine, down-to-earth actor who is finally starting to get the worldwide recognition he deserves. We continue to look forward to seeing the diverse roles Ben will take on in the future and welcome any new fans to come and join our discussion! :wave:


Quotes:
On finding out that he had gotten the role of Prince Caspian:"It was 3am and I was at home. I ran around my house screaming. It was like winning the FA Cup. It was too late to get a drink and I could not phone anyone, so I just ran around."

On the Narnia films: "It feels awesome to be part of telling a story to a new generation and make them experience the same magic that I experienced when I was younger. Even though the story of Narnia takes place in a fantasy world, you have to play every moment as truth. I hope those moments translate into something that the audience can really become involved with."

On the future: "I’ve been very lucky so far in terms of variety of roles and of playing different characters telling different types of stories and working in different accents. I hope to continue doing the same thing.”

On being compared to other big-name actors: "People feel the need to do that for the first six months or a year that you're on the scene because it allows people to attempt to pigeonhole. It kind of goes away as soon as you establish yourself. It will be three months before someone is the next Ben Barnes - I hope, anyway."

On the first time that he found out he'd gotten a big role: "I was in LA driving and I got a call saying I got a pilot I'd auditioned for and a part in Stardust. I was so excited, five minutes later, I crashed. I was so overexcited I went speeding into the back of another car. I tried explaining to them, but they were not particularly sympathetic because almost everyone in LA is an actor and wants those jobs."

Narnia producer Mark Johnson on Ben: "[Ben's] like a movie star in the old tradition - he's tremendously good-looking and has a real intensity and charisma about him."

Thanks for the new thread. :yay:

ty :hug: :woot: #6

Thanks for starting! Perfect title! :yay:

thanx for the great new tread

ben is so cute :drool:

Add me pls. :flowers:

I adore this actor.

Welcome to the thread. :wave:

New thread :yay:
Val, thanks for opening :hug:

welcome :wave:

Hi wapas!!:
Thank you very much for this new thread...:D
Val: Could you add me to the list? Please, please!!!!:goof:
I'd like to be there!!
A question girls!!: Has anyone see "Easy Virtue"? Did you like it? I have to confess I missed the dates...When I wanted to go to the cinema...It was late...
Muchas Gracias!:back_hug::back_hug::back_hug:

Thanks Val :hug:

i want news of ben in NM :pout:

I Watched Prince Caspian awhile ago (maybe two weeks at best), and I really, really did not expect him to do as well as he did as Caspian X. I figured Disney chose him because he reached their quota of "Pretty-Handsome", but he was impressive. I can't wait to see Easy Virtue, whenever it comes out in the US.

Easy Virtue isn't out here yet, so I haven't seen it. But, I can't wait.