This past December, we ran an interview with Adam Brown, who plays Ori in The Hobbit films. Each day, throughout the traditional 12 days of Christmas, we posted a Q&A titled The 12 Days of Ori.
The 12 Days posts have become a tradition here at Middle-earth News. To read 2013’s series, The 12 Days of Bombur with Stephen Hunter, click here. To read our 2014 interview with Mark Hadlow called The 12 Days of Dori, click here.
Below, you will find the 12 Days of Ori interview in full, along with some bonus Q&As from the ever talented, Adam Brown. We hope you enjoy, and from all of us at Middle-earth News, Happy New Year!
Middle-earth News: Ori is kind of your “breakout” role. What has it been like to be part of something as big as The Hobbit trilogy and Tolkien community? Were you at all nervous to be part of something like this?
Adam Brown: It was indeed a breakout role, and I was petrified taking the job on. This was my first movie role, and I was aware that ‘The Hobbit’ wasn’t your average movie! These films mean so much to so many people, and I felt an enormous amount of pressure to be good! But I now know the Tolkien community are one of the most supportive groups of people — I’m incredibly lucky to have their backing.
Middle-earth News: How much of Ori’s design, personality, fighting style, weapons, etc. did you have a say in? How much freedom did you have to make Ori your own?
Adam Brown: Ori was created with me in mind, informed by my original audition for Bilbo. Fran, Pete and Phil wrote and created the part of Ori after seeing my audition tape for Bilbo. Pete is a big Dad’s Army fan (UK 70s sitcom), and he felt the dwarves needed a character like Pike from Dad’s Army. So I guess I had a lot of freedom to make Ori my own! It was fun being the anti-dwarf and finding weapons and fighting styles on my own. I was often working one-on-one with the stunt team to create my own Ori type moves!
But I can’t take the credit for the slingshot idea…. that was Mr Armitage!
Middle-earth News: Ori’s weapon of choice is the slingshot. Did you have to be trained to use it, and if so, how good did your aim get? Were any cast members regular targets for practice?
Adam Brown: Who needs an axe when you have a slingshot, eh?
I did train to use it… but to be fair, there are only several moves you can do with a slingshot — it’s not the most versatile of weapons! Many cast members were targets… mainly Mark Hadlow (Love that man)!
Middle-earth News: Diving into Ori’s character a bit, as an artist, what do you think he most enjoys drawing? Are there any sketches you drew as Ori while filming?
Adam Brown: Yes, I worked very closely in Dwarf boot camp with Daniel Reeve of the 3 Foot 7 Art Department. I’m a keen painter (not a good one), so it was really lovely getting to work with Daniel using charcoal and ink. I have Ori’s notebook on my bookshelf! I really enjoyed drawing the eagles… a lot easier than dwarves to draw (and a lot prettier, unless you’re Aidan!)
Middle-earth News: You have taken to running marathons since filming began on The Hobbit films! Does the dwarf fitness training continue to impact your life now you’re no longer filming?
Adam Brown: I don’t think I’ll ever be a fit as I was when I was filming, but The Hobbit certainly has had an impact on my fitness level. I’m never going back to the days prior to The Hobbit when I didn’t know what it was like to be sweaty! Somehow, New Zealand makes you want to get fit — it’s a beautiful place to just run and soak up the amazing scenery.
I ran the London Marathon this year in memory of my Dad — he would be amazed that I did it!
I miss Mark Hadlow though, he was my gym buddy — you’ve got to see that man’s biceps!!!
Middle-earth News: Was there a particular scene or experience from the set of The Hobbit that you’re glad you’ll never have to repeat?
Adam Brown: Oh yes, Two!
One – Being put on the Goblin spit and being spun around like a really bad theme park ride.
Two – Having dead fish poured over the top of me whilst sitting in a barrel! Did you know I have a fish phobia… not a great combination!
Middle-earth News: There are so many fantastic locations in The Hobbit films. Is there a particular set location you would love to revisit, and if so, why?
Adam Brown: There are so many places I love to revisit… Paradise near Queenstown is stupidly stunning! But I think I’d love to go back to Welly… I miss my friends there, the great restaurants, bars and cinemas. I’ll be going back soon — it’s a promise I’ve made to myself. Look out Wellington!
Middle-earth News: Lots of people really geek out about The Hobbit. What do you “geek out” about?
Adam Brown: I don’t think I geek out about one particular thing; I think I just maybe am a geek!
I guess I love food, booze, theatre and clothes… oh, and terrible reality TV programmes!
Middle-earth News: Many fans are anxious to see Hobbit cast members in other films or plays. What current projects are you involved in, and are there any we can look forward to in the future?
Adam Brown: I was recently in a play in London which was so much fun.
The Hobbit London premiere was pretty mental — I got to do the red carpet, and then as everyone was going into the movie, I jumped on a motorbike to the theatre to do the play and back in time for the afterparty!
Not sure whats next in store, but I’ll keep Middle-earth News posted!
Middle-earth News: How do you make your choices of what projects and roles to play? And when you choose, how do you prepare for a role? Where do you start?
Adam Brown: I simply look for great roles and get excited by any opportunity. I never originally thought I would be suitable for a Middle-earth film, but you never know what’s around the corner! I look for exciting characters and try and find the truth when playing them. I work best when I can ‘play’ with actors and the director — feeling comfortable to explore and be in the moment is the best thing for finding the truth of a scene or character.
Middle-earth News: What was the first film or play that you can remember seeing that made you want to be an actor?
Adam Brown: I saw a production of Animal Farm by Northern Stage Co., and I was totally inspired. The company replaced the stage with tonnes and tonnes of mud, and the actors put army boots on their hands to represent hooves. I still remember the show so clearly; I was 15 years old, and from that moment on, I knew this was a world I wanted to be a part of. They were having so much fun — playing in mud and getting paid for it!
Middle-earth News: Do you have any causes that are close to your heart or charities that you support?
Adam Brown: Yes — The British Heart Foundation. My dad was very young and passed away suddenly this year of a heart attack. I’m supporting the BHF to raise awareness of heart disease.
BONUS Q&A!
Middle-earth News: What was your favorite childhood movie?
Adam Brown: Big starring Tom Hanks. I’ve seen it SO many times!
Middle-earth News: Richard Armitage fans are the Armitage Army and Benedict Cumberbatch has the Cumber Collective–what are/should Adam Brown fans be called?
Adam Brown: I think they exist on Twitter and Facebook… The Adam Brownies.
Middle-earth News: How close were you to your cast brothers and the other dwarves? Do you think that connection will last for years to come?
Adam Brown: Almost too close! They will be a part of my family for years.
We hope you enjoyed The 12 Days of Ori – The Adam Brown Interview! Many thanks to Adam for sharing his thoughts and memories with us!
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