|
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom's first major movie role was in The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
playing the ethereal elf Legolas Greenleaf, a role he received only days before
graduating drama school in London. Two years later, when The Fellowship of
the Ring premiered, audiences were in instant awe of the blonde haired, blue
eyed elf with killer cheek bones, who was also handy with a bow and arrow. It
didn't take long for Orlando to become a full fledged teen heartthrob, hailed
by magazines as "The next big thing". In interviews and magazines, fans discovered
that off-screen, Orlando was quite different than his movie counterpart. With
brown eyes, dark hair, olive skin, and a keen yet quirky fashion sense, he looked
right at home on the cover of GQ. Unlike the quiet Legolas, Orlando was full of
energy and infectious enthusiasm, charming everyone he worked with, along with
the fans. In interviews, he described himself as an adrenaline junky; skydiving,
bungee jumping, surfing and snowboarding in his spare time. This live life to
it's fullest concept seems to come partly from a brush with death that Orlando
had while in drama school. Falling 3 stories from a friend's roof terrace, Orlando
faced the possibility of never walking again, but was able to walk out of the
hospital 12 days later.
A walking miracle, Orlando seemed to be on the road to mega- stardom. Released
shortly after the The Fellowship of the Ring was the gritty war drama,
Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott. Orlando played Private First
Class Todd Blackburn, and showed the enthusiasm, excitement and nervousness of
an 18 year old soldier new to the world of war in Somalia. Shadowing a real life
experience, his character falls from a helicopter and breaks his back. His next
role was that of Joe Byrne in Ned Kelly, a historical biopic of the infamous
Australian outlaw. Even though the movie had a limited release, the reviews were
positive for Orlando's portrayal of Ned Kelly's right hand man. Next came the
swashbuckling blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black
Pearl, which cemented Orlando's place as the action movie "It Boy". Playing
the dashing yet straight-laced blacksmith, Will Turner, Orlando won even more
hearts by showing off his sword fighting skills alongside his idol, Johnny Depp,
while romancing the film's heroine played by Keira Knightley. In 2004 came another
period action movie, Troy. Although the role of Paris saw Orlando again
using a sword and bow, it was a departure from his past roles. Paris was an anti-hero,
young and foolish at times, sacrificing all for love. Also released in 2004, although
only limited in Europe, was the indie film The Calcium Kid, a mockumentary
comedy about a milkman who becomes a boxer. Orlando was able to show off his comedic
skills while playing a modern character, with no weapons or costumes. Orlando's
first starring role in a major production was in Kingdom of Heaven, released
in 2005. Although the film was considered a box office disappointment, the reviews
of Orlando's acting were positive. He was able to convey the inner turmoil of
a man on a journey of spiritual and self discovery.
Orlando's next starring role will be that of Drew Baylor in Elizabethtown.
A modern comedic drama written and directed by Cameron Crowe. Although Orlando
has grown since his premiere in Lord of the Rings, he still has the same genuine
love of life and work. He likes to keep his family and friends out of the limelight,
and tries to stay grounded even in the face of mega-stardom. He always has a smile
and a hug for his fans, even delaying movie premieres so he can spend more time
signing autographs and taking photos. Orlando's onscreen presence, along with
his down to earth attitude and likeability will continue to attract new fans while
sustaining the old ones.
Summary thanks to TheOrlandoBloomFiles
- All of the scenes in the Lord of the Rings where he gets to show off
his action moves. Who can forget him swinging up on the galloping horse in The
Two Towers or sliding down a staircase on a shield? Or killing the giant
oliphant in Return of the King and then sliding down it's trunk?
- In Black Hawk Down, while asking a fellow officer what the fighting
is like, he declares with enthusiasm and youthful cockiness that he's there to
"kick some ass".
- In Ned Kelly, while the gang is robbing a bank, Joe is busy seducing
the wife of the owner. The comedic scene is brilliantly acted with Orlando sealing
the deal with hardly a word, just smiling and gazing at the wife.
- In Pirates of the Caribbean when Will Turner first comes blade to blade
with Jack Sparrow in the blacksmith shop. Orlando and Johnny to get to show off
their sword fighting skills while trading comedic quips along with the sword jabs.
- In Kingdom of Heaven, Balian knights a young boy, along with a group
of men, using the same knight's oath that his father knighted him with. He then
slaps the boy, as his father did to him, so that he remembers it.
Comments thanks to TheOrlandoBloomFiles
Know of a better memorable moment with
Orlando Bloom? Let
us know.
*List of films only in CanMag DB. Check out a full filmography for Orlando Bloom at IMDB
Go to Elizabethtown
Bloom cuts the hair, drops the sword and takes a chance at family and love.
© 2004 Minds Eye One, All Rights Reserved
The Can Magazine™ is a trademark of Minds Eye One
All movie titles, movie icons, movie stills/clips/trailers/other media... are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of stated holders
CanMag.Com banners contain movie/gaming icons that were created by individual holders
|
|
|
