Welsh actor Ioan Gruffud's already conquered Britain -- now the star of King Arthur has his sights set on Hollywood.
________________________________________
MELISSA QUINLAN: When I sat down to watch the Hornblower movies, I didn't expect to enjoy them as much as I did.
IOAN GRUFFUDD: Absolutely. Neither would I, to be honest [laughs]. I wouldn't want to sit down to watch that sort of period costume thing. I'm glad you thought that. A lot of people have said that.
Q: Hornblower just pulled me in--he's such an endearing character. I really found myself rooting for him.
A: I think that's the attraction of that period. These were boys, you know, turning into men while living in these terrible conditions on these ships and fighting wars. He's incredibly bright and he understands how to encourage people to do things against their will without being an imposing captain. He's the opposite of Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander.
Q: Were you approached about starring in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World?
A: I remember when the auditions came 'round to play the part that Paul Bettany eventually played, but I wasn't available because I think I was shooting Hornblower. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm curious. Just looking at the trailers themselves I was going, "Ah, damn! I wish we had that sort of budget to make ours look as good!"
Q: Waiting for the opening of a big film like King Arthur must be a different experience for you.
A: Yes, I'm just delighted that this movie is coming out [after] all the work through the years trying to manage and build up to a career. To be the third lead after Clive [Owen] and Keira [Knightley], this is by far the most exciting step in my career.
Q: Were you familiar with the King Arthur legend before you got the part of Lancelot?
A: I had an impression of it. Because it is a myth, I have to tell people that our version is how the myth came about. That this was sort of based on historical fact. So my Lancelot isn't the white knight in shining armor. He's definitely Arthur's second in command and his best friend. But we don't have that love triangle between Guinevere and Arthur and Lancelot.
Q: Since the love triangle was eliminated from the story, were you upset that you didn't have any love scenes with Keira?
A: Well, yes, yes, absolutely. Who wouldn't be upset about that [laughs]?
Q: Did you have a hand in coming up with your costume?
A: It was sort of an organic process. The costume designer, Penny Rose, was great. We went in and she had a rough idea and then I had to bring what I thought to it. For example, Hugh Dancy, who plays Galahad, is wearing a tunic with a kilt because he has these really great legs. Then we tried the kilt on me and I just looked silly. I looked like a drag queen. So I said, "Listen, I think we need to try some trousers!" So we tried some leather trousers and leather boots and this huge leather tunic with armor on it--I was trying to make myself look more imposing and manly.
Q: You already have a huge female following in Britain--are you ready for that type of attention in the U.S.?
A: All of that is incredibly flattering and I'm glad that it's come through the work I've done. It hasn't changed my life at all in London. I still walk down the street and go in the underground. Here, I guess you never really see anyone on the streets 'cause you're always driving around in your cars [laughs]. So I think you choose to avoid it or court it. You can have a healthy relationship with being in the public eye. I think I've learned to have an appreciation and a gratitude towards [my fans] and I try not to let it go to my head.
Q: Is there any truth to the rumor that you're going to be the next James Bond?
A: There's no truth in it at all, really. I did an interview for Esquire and it went in their issue with Pierce Brosnan on the cover. Since then, people have said, "Oh yeah, this guy could be a contender." If they want another James Bond the same age as Pierce [was when he started], then I'm 10 years too young. If they want to make him younger, then I would dearly love to play the part. I think it's something that I could play quite well. Who knows...I'll just wait for the phone call [laughs].
________________________________________