Feature: Pirates of the Caribbean 2

The Turner Prize

Orlando Bloom returns for two more forays on the high seas

He’s one of the hottest actors on the planet, having bagged two blockbuster film trilogies in The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean. With Will Turner returning in Dead Man’s Chest in the summer, Orlando Bloom’s star remains in the ascendant – although, as he reveals here, maybe it’s time to give up the swords and archery…

What’s it been like shooting the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels?
We’re shooting now, two back-to-back. I’m so happy to be on these movies. That’s the best part of entertainment, it’s a family entertainment, it’s witty, it’s intelligent, it’s smart.

You’ve done a lot of epic and action films. Do you have any desire to try something different instead?
I did Elizabethtown which was a romantic, sort of quirky, offbeat, romantic comedy, and Cameron Crowe is a phenomenal director. And I did The Calcium Kid, so I have done other contemporary pieces. I feel like I’m in the first chapter of my life and my career as an actor, and I think there will be a new chapter for me which maybe won’t involve so many swords. I’m not looking to do any more sword movies. I am working on Pirates however, and that will be epic.

How do you react to being labelled a major sex symbol? Does the massive worldwide exposure make you uncomfortable?
I don’t really let that be a part of my consciousness. I don’t make decisions based on anything other than my instinct, and wanting to do good work, and wanting to entertain people as an actor, and wanting to enjoy my life and be happy and feel fulfilled creatively.
I said to a friend of mine, ‘This is a little bit weird with all the hysterical fan thing happening’. And he said to me, ‘Dude, just chill and enjoy’. There will always be The Beatles, there will always be a new boy band and a new young actor, because there will always be young girls, young guys, who want to pin their hopes and dreams on somebody.
So it’s a small window, enjoy it while it’s there. Don’t take it seriously and move on.

You’ve certainly been blessed so far – straight out of drama school into a thriving film career.
I feel very, very, fortunate to be doing what I’m doing, and ultimately I try not to let the praise or criticism of a lot of other people sway the decisions that I make each day. I’m not big on the Internet, I don’t read any of those magazines that pop up, and I just try to keep it very low key. I really just keep doing what I’m doing, keep it about the work, and make it about other people as well, so it’s not all about you.

Find out where this movie comes in our 'Top 50 Things to Look Forward in 2006' in
The Works #A03

Photo © Walt Disney Studios
Feature © Visual Imagination 2006. Not for reproduction

Taken from

The Works #A03
February 2006
ships from Jan 18 2006
News-stand Price
UK £3.50 / US $5.99

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