Sean Bean interview: Cleanskin, Bond, Boromir and Black Death

I slapped my own forehead.)

The trailer was warm and dimly lit.

That was the first thing that struck me about him, though.

Yet, he made time for us during a break to discuss him films past, present and future.

He is adored by people of all ages for entirely different roles.

For me, Boromir is his crowning glory.

to some of my family and friends, itsSharpe.

But, regardless, hes an icon.

Can you tell me about your character in it?

How did you get involved?

And it is just something I have found really interesting, you know.

I find it very interesting politically and socially.

I thought it was a very well written piece.

I liked the character.

Hes a bit of a loner.

So, it gives that added edge to his mission as it were.

Do you find that with some of your roles you tend to play both sides?

Yeah, I suppose they are very similar in a sense.

Their aims are different, but the beliefs are the same.

Its not something they do half-hearted and they are very passionate about what they do.

Yeah, and it is very open ended, really.

What I am trying to say is that its quite impartial.

Its not saying this is right and this is wrong.

iIs saying this is whats happening and what can we do about it?

OWF: Which makes a change.

Theyre good fun to do and they give you great exposure.

OWF:Cleanskins not equivalent, budget-wise, to some of the bigger Hollywood films.

But do you think there should be more films like this?

Action thriller-style films made here, as opposed to the usual kitchen sink-style British dramas?

Well, theres plenty of stories to be told.

There are so many stories to be told, by so many good writers.

Thats why Im interested in doing work like this.

Its fantastic, but it had a complete impact on me.

You had another strong character in Ulric, but I wondered what it was like to film.

Was it quite intense?

Some scenes, yeah.

And it can get intense, you know.

If youre doing something calledBlack Death,youve got to have a sense of humour [laughs].

It was like when we were doingRed Riding.

OWF: Whats Hadi been like as a director?

OWF: What has it been like filming in London?

As London is not always film-friendly.

No, weve been quite lucky, really, because we have been filming in nice hotels.

It is very difficult when you are out on the street with cars.

It is great filming in London.

Its difficult, but it looks good.

It has its own identity.

OWF: And no problems with the snow?

No, we have been quite lucky.

We were outside yesterday and we just made it inside before it started snowing today.

[laughs] It looks great, but not when you gotta film.

It was a surprise to me, because I was doingSharpeat the time.

Thats when I found out about it.

I was out in Russia and it was brilliant.

It was the first one Pierce Brosnan had done.

The main lead villain in a Bond film, is something that Ill always remember.

Thats where I got this watch.

[He chuckles.]

They dont do that these days!

[We all laugh.]

It was a long time ago.

OWF: I have to ask, now that it is ninety-nine percent a go down in New Zealand.

Is there any chance of getting involved inThe Hobbit?

Im not sure in what capacity.

I am not sure at all about that.

I mean I dont know what is happening with it, or when they are filming it.

I dont think I would be in it.

I mean having played Boromir, I dont think he was around at that time.

Maybe he was a young lad, unless I played him as a toddler!

Looking back on it, is it one that stands out for you?

Yeah, very memorable.

For all of us, it opened doors.

But I didnt realise the scale of it, how big and epic it would be.

But we still didnt realise, even when we were filming.

It was a big turning point for many of us.

With the amount of interest it created and what it received, it created just good things for us.

OWF: Are you still in touch with the fellowship?

We get together and we do bump into each other now and again.

I bump into Viggo occasionally.

We get on quite well because were a similar age and we have a similar sense of humour.

DoG: And you had the photo shoot for Empire magazine and you gave him an award.

I gave him an award.

[laughs] I think he was referring to- Gladiator you know, Russell Crowe.

Yeah, hed just been on before and Viggo was making a few remarks about that.

Thank you, Sean Bean!

And with that we ended the interview.

Here it is, though, a humble geek, next to a humble Hollywood megastar.

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