Thorin Thursday–Richard Armitage Talks Heights of Royal Elves, Heroic Heartthrob Thorin, and Partying Away his Shyness, May 02, 2013 Gratiana Lovelace (Post #405)

I tried so hard to stay away from writing a Richard Armitage essay post on my blog this week–to rest my eyes for my love story writing.  The writing is going slowly until Saturday. So I will probably post “Love is a Choice” Ch. 19 here on my blog and on my Wattpad site on Sunday.

But with so much Richard Armitage portrait (by photographer Tracey Nearmy, with my photoshop impression at right) and interview news (see RANet for all of it) goodness to entice us this week while British actor Richard Armitage who portrays Thorin Oakenshield  is in Australia pitching The Hobbit:  An Unexpected Journey dvd release there, what is an RA Fangirl to do?  So, I decided to dip my toe in and point you to a fabulous interview with RA by Yasmin Vought published May 1, 2013:

“Richard Armitage: ‘I told Prince William he’d make a good elf in The Hobbit’” by Yasmin Vought, May 1, 2013 for MovieFix

Be sure to read the whole interview. But listed below are three quoted excerpts from the article that I found particularly illuminating and fun (I added the pictures and the italics emphasis is mine.):

“…

1)      When you met Prince William, you guys had a bit of a chat. Do you remember what he said?

Richard: I think I said something about him playing an elf because he’s so tall. Of course he knocked it away and was like “no no no, not at all”. And of course you get briefed on the protocol of what you should and shouldn’t say and I was like “oh my goodness, I’ve said the wrong thing”.

After the movie, I was sitting on the aisle and he left and he kind of walked past me and shook my hand and said “that was a really really great performance. Kate’s going to love this when she gets to see it”. My dad was like “What did he say?” I was like “Did you not hear him?” And my dad’s like “no, I’m deaf, I didn’t hear him”.  That was one of those days that I felt very proud. …”

[ http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Richard/EventsandAppearances/London/album/London-44.jpg ]

Grati’s Comment:  I love that Richard Armitage gets a kick out of the “so tall” Prince William, when  Richard Armitage is a tall 6ft 2inch bloke!  And Richard Armitage sharing the Royal premiere with his parents is so endearing–well brought up, polite, gentlemanly gentle man that RA is–ladies are lining up with their daughters whom they want him to marry.  Scratch that!  Unattached ladies, feel free to start your own line. Ha!

“…

2)      One of the questions from my office was “How does it feel to be a heartthrob”?

Richard: Am I a heartthrob? *laughs* Thorin Oakenshield? Well I guess if someones’ gonna run down a burning log and charge at the enemy. I mean I guess that’s why I wanted to play him, because he’s got a heroic side to him that I probably don’t have.

I think they were actually referring to your television roles.

Richard: I always end up playing bad characters though, I never get the girl. Well I did in North & South.

Maybe that’s one of the things that your fans like about you.

Richard: I do feel responsible for them. When I pick a job I’m always “Are they going to like this or are they going to hate it”. I try to do stuff that they’ll like, but I don’t think I’ll always be able to do that.

They’re incredibly well read and very supportive. I sometimes do a bit of research by going on my own websites, because they’re always reading some great book. …”

[ http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Hobbit/Hobbit-AUJ/album/HobbitAUJ-613.jpg ]

Grati’s Comment:  Richard Armitage likes playing the heroic Thorin, because he thinks that he  “probably” isn’t heroic?   Richard, apart from your masterful storytelling and acting, being wonderfully compassionate to fans, you are also philanthropically minded–such as your setting up your Just Giving pages (see my blog side bar at right) years ago where fans may make charitable donations.  Acting to help others in need is heroic to me.

“…

3)      You’ve also said that you’re shy at parties.

Richard: Yeah I am, but once I have a drink inside me I’m not. I get on the dance floor and I’m an animal. I’m good once I get to know people. I’m not very good at talking to a lot of people at the same time. If I can’t focus on one person, I get kind of itchy — especially at a party when someone’s talking to you and they’re looking all around, I’m like “are you talking to me or are you talking to everybody else?”

Did you feel as though new Zealand had become your home?

Richard: Yeah. I was totally seduced by it. I started looking for a place to buy, because I want to live there. Everyone’s so friendly and relaxed and they can afford to be, because the place they live in is so pristine and their lifestyle is easy compared to where I came from. I loved the lifestyle, I can’t wait to get back!”

[ http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Richard/Promos/Miscellaneous/17-LizaFrank-MyCelebrityBoyfriend-2007.jpg ]

Grati’s Comment:  And I have to ask you gentle readers, if you were chatting up Richard Armitage at a party or event, would you be looking anywhere but at him?  Not a chance!  Ha!  Oh and, be sure to bring wine with you to share with him as a conversational lubricant.

P.S.  And Alice Tynan’s April 30, 2013 interview with RA (image right) for The Vine is dynamite, too!

P.S. And Alice just shared her Tweet Q & A with RA at http://www.thevine.com.au/entertainment/news/richard-armitage-answers-your-tweets/

(Thanks to Servetus for pointing me to Obsessive who pointed me to Alice’s Tweets transcript link.)