Recently, actor Mikael Persbrandt spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in regards to his role as Beorn in Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of The Hobbit. Roughly translated, he says of his work on The Hobbit:
“When I, during the first day, is hoisted up to the ceiling in the west King Kong Studio in Wellington I know what to do, even if it is a bit awkward and difficult to begin with a difficult torture scene. I knew and could even suggest things.”
“How am I as a shapeshifter, who lives with horses and animals in the forest? You have to look into yourself and try,” he says of playing the shy and reclusive shape-shifting character. “I act in the Hobbit about the same I would in a love drama.”
Persbrandt, a popular Swedish actor, is also hoping to improve his English, as most of his roles have been in Sweden, and the lack of international roles has given him few reasons to take advanced English language courses. But, he adds, he has no insecurities in filming The Hobbit, as he believes that experience has improved his confidence as an actor.
You can view the full interview (in Swedish) here
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be in theaters on December 14, 2012, with The Hobbit: There and Back Again following on December 13, 2013.
