Saturday, March 15, 2014

Aaaaaaaat Laaaaaaast....

My love has come along....



My lonely days are over/ And life is like a song...



 Oh yeah yeah, at last/ The skies above are blue....

 

 ~~~~~

This is what's going through my head at wonderful news* that The Armitage actually is acting again. Real acting, not PR acting! What a joyous occasion. I think I floated two feet off my sofa when I read this:

Richard has been cast in Urban and the Shed Crew, a Blenheim Films production, which has just started filming in Leeds in the UK. The filming will take place over the next 6 weeks (10 March to 18 April) and the director is Candida Brady. This film is adapted from the best-selling novel Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew, written by Bernard Hare. Richard will play 'Chop', an ex-social worker who befriends the eponymous character 'Urban'.

Thankyougods- Hallelujah- Excitement excitement ecstasy- Finally my prince has come- Life is good, life is fiiiiine...AT. LAST. And...phew...

Go to site- It's real! It's real!- Read description- Oh gawd  - It's gonna be a downer....Which role does he have? Chop? What's that? Does a Chop need prosthetics- Read some more- Is it a BIG role...Is it? Is it a GIANT role?... I want a GIANT role- Is it a little film? I don't know this company- Is it a big company, a known company or is it going to be 'into the storm' again?... Is it an indie company- Is it going to be shown anywhere but the UK? Would I want to see it? Really? Really? Gad, it's based on a stark and sombre non-fiction bookI'mNotReadingIt!

Hit a couple of sites to see responses- cannibalisation continues- dissection of every nuance, every titbit,  every tweet, twirp, twitch, burp, and instagram- I go peruse said feeds,  Oy Vey- How exciting to see clothes on rack, shoes on floor, oh look, there's Chop's costumes...a few buildings and cars- there's a glossary, we need a glossary?-some tweets on homelessness (a worthy cause) or something, my eyes glaze over...gad this is grim and earnest....It's going to be a loooong few months....

How soon before the PR begins? Oh damn, it's already begun ....How long before he talks about it....will he say anything interesting...actually I never check Oldman's take on characters/PR either... of course Oldman's not as pretty as The Armitage but I've seen too much of Richard 'Rico' Suave lately anyway...oh, just hit me with your acting stick, that's all I ask! Je t'adore, ich liebe dich!

And most of all and worst of all, when is he going to make something that interests meeeee?  whine whine whine.... oh, I'll probably read reviews before I decide whether it's worth seeing on anything larger than a flatscreen....you've stayed too long at the CGI fair, boyo, and now it's time to shore up that body of work so I can wallow in choice....

In fact, I'm thinking I need to be cryogenically frozen, return in 20 years or so, and then binge on Armitage DVDs rather than gnaw on a current and future mess of texts, pix, tweets and modelising magnum opuses...more RELENTLESS PR!- now that would be a body worth going into a coma for ....I would also expect a monumental quantity or quality to kiss me awake.

Instead, I sit here appalled because I seem to be devouring my own brain - cannibalising my very brain in twisty, bendy ways- wretched Wretched man, the sensational feats, the contortions, the tumbling and somersaults I do for him even in my brain! 

Then I come here and *everyone is telling us the good news- and you know what? I still don't have anything to say. Tick tock....


*Many thanks to the commenters who shared the news!

120 comments:

  1. I am soooo glad you are making an appearance !! Now I shall read your post and see If I have something illuminating to say ;-D

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  2. Very glad to see you, pi! Was uncomfortably feeling some of us had hi-jacked (and references to current events, that's serious.) the blog. I felt a bit that way as a weekly guest blogger on another blog. Not sure of role, procedure or etiquette. .

    Nevertheless, many of us are happy to have the actor back acting. (Fashion shoots were really - blah. ) (And however admirable Sir PJ is, endless Hobbit promotion - reached YAWN territory.)

    This is better news. It might hit or miss. But it seems more - authentic? We'll see, IF we see it within years in Canada/N.A.

    Was dead tired of endless over-exposure of the actor during the hobbit promotions. Well, the actor acceded to it. But there is a day job. And Hobbit is not the definitive film of films.

    So, good for the actor, making another turn (after SH and N&S and working on a different project. Anna Friel could prove a helpful colleague for future projects?

    Judith

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    1. Hi Judith,

      How lovely to see you here! Thanks for your informative and insightful comments as well as Claudine, chris, Jaimee and various anonymouses.

      There are few hard and fast rules on this site. I think it's best to remember who your audience is and post accordingly. I figure anything that's within 6 degrees of RA is okay.

      Do you think he's gone back to his roots with this film? I agree, it seems this film is more about him being an actor than a movie star. I often wonder whether that really has been his goal- to be a star rather than to act because acting is his life's blood. I'm on the fence about this one so far.

      Yes, I am really thrilled he's back in the saddle again. I really hated the puffery of the juggernaut and his investment in that puffery. Who knows why he's ultimately doing this current film and whether we, here, in NA, will see it anytime soon? I'd love for him to be back in a series so I can get my fill, but that's me being selfish. Besides, nowadays there's little for us of substance to talk about thanks to the dearth of work. It used to be fun, now, not so much, for me.

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  3. I also what to apologize for hijacking your last blog. I am also unsure about blog etiquette. I got pretty carried away... Pardonnez- moi !!

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    1. chris,

      No worries! Everything was interesting. Thanks so much for your insightful comments. I guess the one thing I can't abide is the mothering of RA- I've never seen anything like it before!

      I apologise for not setting comment standards, but as you can imagine, there's been no reason to, given how less-travelled and infrequent this blog is. :)

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    2. Yes, but a road less -travelled is often a more interesting one ! I am finding this out myself.

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    3. P.S. Snow white would have been nice surrounded by 13 dwarves... Or is it 7 in this case ? ;-)

      Delete
  4. Very kind of you ! Ah yes the mothering...Eh, eh !! I was complaining about seeing that a lot on other blogs and found myself doing a bit of it on yours.. No more !! The man already has a mother ! You really think (or thought) that he wants to be a "movie star" ? Agree with you about the puffery..He never struck me as a puffer...

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  5. I for one am glad he is back in the UK acting. I don't think the American film industry is very becoming of him. He almost seems like a fish out of water there. I did read that he had gained an American work visa for doing Into The Storm & that he thought he should try to make the most of it, maybe that's why he was hanging around in the US a bit? Anyway, I'm happy, I'm sure Richard is happy & we're all happy about it so YYYAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Yeah indeed for a character-driven story !! About time...I was having thoughts of Batman or James Bond or Fast and Furious (# whatever).Platitudes.…Do you think Hollywood as noticed him ?

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    2. Hi Chris, I don't think Hollywood did notice him but who really knows how hard he tried or it could possibly be that the thought of playing Batman etc was reeeaaaaalllly unappealing to him as it is to me! I would have been so sad if that had come to pass. Maybe James Bond would've been ok as it is a bit of a British institution (or rather was...) I'm also of the opinion that it's not in his nature to do the required schmoozing that it probably takes to get work in Hollywood. Love him all the more for it :-)

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  6. I really LOVE this blog and I'm glad you are still posting, Pi. The tornado/storm movie will not do very well (IMO). Various name changes, and release dates after almost two years? Never a good sign. Richard spent over a million on a place in NYC, so he must have really wanted the whole having a career in America thing to work. I'm not sure that's gonna happen, so I really wouldn't be shocked if he moves back to London, and tries to find parts in smaller films.

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  7. I have a bad feeling about Into the whatever and nobody wants to talk about it...Its the subject matter ( who does this appeal to ?)and the fact that it was rewritten many times. The name and release date kept changing.He is the only "big name" in it and he is not even a " big name" .Anyways, it seems that even "real" big names are not enough these days to bring butts into cinema seats.Career in Hollywood ?

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  8. Pi, you crack me up. I always enjoy reading your posts and I had no idea about this new film because I'm so out of the loop, so thanks for sharing, :)

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  9. Oh, gosh ... Am I late again? I'm late again and didn't see this post - why - I'm sorry! Thank you for your wonderful post, pi! Always refreshing to read thoughts of you.

    As I said in the "hijacked" post the Urban news brought a big grin on my face. It smoothes my soul but it's hard to tell why he picked that role. Surely, he plays a struggling character and I like that he's in UK again, and he chose this role carefully. But it doesn't mean he won't try for another Hollywood role. Others guess he moved to NYC in hope of meeting the right people for a future stage carreer? Dunno what to think about that.

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  10. You know,I have been reading a lot about Hollywood studios and their struggles and how things are changing, how they are "slashing" budgets on all levels ( from "small" players to the actors etc.. ) I keep thinking how hard it' s always been to make it (whatever that means) in Hollywood and how it is certainly more difficult now.So many British actors have failed ( more so than have succeeded)Why would it be different for him ? He would be in very good company...Why do you think stage career in NYC as opposed to London ? He has talked and talked and talked about theater for a long time,yet nothing.As per this choice of role (boy was I a happy !),maybe he is not getting called upon by Hollywood.IMO he has been a struggling working actor for a long, long time maybe that is still his reality ?

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  11. This thought about his moving to NYC bc of a stage carreer was mentioned by others - I have never thought of this possibility. But I'm no expert in NY vs London stage, so I cannot see a reason at this point. And tbh, Bloom, Fry, McKellen, etc had all their roles on stage in the last 1,5 years - so, why not Armitage, too?
    The truth is, we don't know enough to build a proper opinion. Maybe he wasn't seriously looking for new roles, only for compelling ones like Urban, maybe he is struggling, maybe he even was attending an acting school, maybe Urban just crossed his path (Anglophile posted on the Urban fb page something like that would suggest his role needed a fast prep?) but he is still glancing at Hollywood (TV/movie) ... maybe moving to NYC was suggested as a "great idea" and he kind of reconsider it now? There are so many reasons but only Armitage can tell and he never will.
    Isn't it kinda funny to live in NYC (if not for more personal reasons) but take a job in the UK as kinda a first role after The Hobbit & Into The Storm (for some reasons I cannot take ITS as a serious move)?

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    1. So many great questions! And the most important observation: "The truth is, we don't know enough to build a proper opinion."

      No, we don't. Which is amazing if you think of how much he talks to all and sundry, in magazines, on TV shows, at conventions. And yet we know less and less. He gives so little.

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  12. Hi ! Are we going the have a 2 woman show here ? LOL !!! What I meant with the theater was that he has been talking about it for a long time yet nothing has been happening. Who knows why ? Does it have to do with him or he is just not getting hired ? I find hard to believe that you can make a decent living from theater (especially to sustain a NYC flat).Agree with you with ITS ,I have been shooting my mouth off all over the place about this movie.I really really want to be proven wrong about this thing. As per Urban, I hope we get to see it in N.America or will it pass by us like a slow breeze ? What a seemingly cool project for him....

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  13. If you were as bored as I've been, you'd want to highlight the interesting subculture and seeming altruism of the Urban project to make it worth posting about. And candidly, I do appreciate people who work to help keep others from going off a cliff, so Bernard Hare got a plug.

    As for Richard Armitage, I just want to see the guy in a role I can savor.

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  14. Hey Frenz,

    Long time no see! You admit to boredom? LOL. For me, the RA rah rah curve kinda deflated at the first Hobbit film and went further downhill from there at the second, or should I say, the PR. Of course, the Urban project is worthy, but it's sad, IMO, when all we have to talk about is the worthiness of some project instead of our being touched/exercised by a role.

    Agreed, I want to see him in a delicious role as well. I live in hope. It's been disappointing so far, for me.

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    1. I can tell you haven't been reading my blog much. :D I've admitted to boredom a few times. In fact, it's hard to keep from doing it more. It's the fear that I won't be able to stop that's kept me in check so far.

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    2. Heh. I hear you. I have dropped by lately and skimmed a few. I think it takes muscle to keep going on so little. True of other blogs as well, IMO.

      My stance is just to keep quiet because otherwise I would whine, and whine and whine, and I don't feel like making lemonade out of lemons. Like I said, it takes muscle....

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    3. I notice you said muscle and not brains. ;-) How about insanity and a need to just shoot the breeze?

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  15. I also like to be optimistic. I've spent so much of my life being disappointed, I'm determined not to be anymore even on something as minor as this. And candidly, my foray into the fan subculture has been a lot of fun -- whether Richard Armitage ever did anything or not.

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    1. Kudos to you. I am not pessimistic, I do live in hope. I just don't think there's much to discuss compared to the olden days. Recently have seen some weird fan action so I'm not interested. But to keep flying the banner strong and proud....I find that pretty amazing.

      I do think that there are those of us waiting....

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    2. There are definitely many waiting. I mostly get email rather than comments now, and it's from people who also don't want to whine publicly.

      But blogging is something not wholly a part of a fan obsession. It is addictive in itself.

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    3. Sorry for butting in but I wonder in what kind of role/character you both would want to see him. I think the old days are gone, he is presenting himself to the bigger pond and Urban is a very nice contrast to Tinseltown. I, too, miss the days before The Hobbit.

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    4. Tell me about it (the olden days that is)....Will Tinseltown bite the bullet with him ? I am very much on the fence about that one....

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    5. @frenz Just noticed your last comment. People are whining privately because they are "afraid" to vent publicly ?

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    6. I don't think I said they were afraid.

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    7. I should have put an emoticon on that. :D

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    8. Eh !! Eh !! Of course you did not say afraid.... I was the one wondering...That irony again LOL !!

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    9. It's mostly people who really don't want to be negative about anything. It's also a cadre of lurkers whom I've developed a relationship with in email. Most of them have never commented on anything publicly and don't ever want to. Occasionally, one of them comes out of lurk mode and stays out.

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    10. I am actually more of a lurker myself... I comment on about 3-4 blogs (including this one and yours).But I must say, I have learned to shut up a lot for the most part...Weird isn't it ? I cannot gush especially when I am not feeling it...Actually,come to think of it I barely gush when I do feel it .... ;-)

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    11. @Claudine,

      I have never imagined a role for him. I don't like to tax my tiny little brain with that, because my brain only has so much space, heh. I am sure there would be roles I hate and roles I love and in between. I just want the dear man to ACT so I have something to watch and talk/bitch about! He's proven he can take dross and spin it into gold, so one never knows what role might be amazing, IMO. I do doubt that the stage is his metier, though, whereas black leather definitely is! LOL

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  16. "Discovered" Mr.Armitage last fall but the fun is starting to fade away for me...The PR,PR,PR,PR is just non- stop is it ? When do these people get to act ? We have another year of this ?

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    1. I don't think the PR of The Hobbit is that bad right now. And if he gets more successful in the USA, we will see him a lot in PR. That's the price we all have to pay, I think. (and I still have this very uncomfortable feeling about that and I don't know why! It drives me crazy

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    2. Hi btw !!No, right now its ITS PR ( and more of the same later this year for TABA).Why are you uncomfortable (I am too) ? Actually ,maybe I am more disillusioned than uncomfortable.I must think about it..About you ?

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    3. @pi, and others,
      Late, as always. Been a wee bit fixed on all Richard III issues lately. Which pre-dated interest in that actor from Leicester - name again? Giggle. I think it might be spring here. Melting, anyway....Does anyone want to join my FB Petition to Bring Back the Duke of Gloucester to Gloucester Cathedral? (0nly tangential connections to an actor.

      I do hope that one day we will have access to Urban here. Yes, it is frustrating to have little actual work this year (unless one is a Tolkien/fantasy/PJ fan. Or PR lover.) But the actor is perhaps trying out different areas at the mid-life phase. Stage/ TV/disaster movie holly-style etc. Why not?

      Judith

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  17. Did anyone of you stumble upon his latest interview from yesterday, where he mentioned AGAIN (in some sort of way) he "hopes to come back to the U.K.- do some more T.V.- maybe some theater”? Heck, I don't know what to think of it. Either, he is up to something and he gives us hints (like he did in the Anglophile interview with Urban) or he is selling himself again. Any thoughts here?

    @Chris: I don't think I'm disillusioned, that would imply I had expectations. And I don't have any. No, really, there is this uncomfortable feeling and I still stick to the saying "Cobbler, stick to your last" = don't grap for Hollywood. Dunno, very complicated, I know!

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    1. I really like that aphorism, "Cobbler, stick to your last". It seems to me that he's pursuing artifice, instead of letting things happen organically with a little help. It comes across as fake and empty to me, paying a sort of lip service. And to whom is this lip service being paid?

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    2. pi, I hop it is a short-lived phase. As in endless NYC Man photo shoots. Please - a nous moutons. Chop and Urban a good thing? Assuming we will see it here....

      Judith

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  18. I understand....Claudine it has been nice chatting with you on this post but especially on the one before...I am "retiring" from making comments...Be well

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    1. Chris,

      I'm so sorry to see your retirement. You were an asset to this blog.

      If you are the same 'chris' as at the other blog, don't let the pie eyed protectionists get you down. I don't write much because my enthusiasm for RA is waning. Like you, I suspect that he himself is hindering his career.

      There are things that just don't add up to me and they have been there since the Hobbit began. The fact that he doesn't have a string of jobs coming up is suspect. People give him the benefit of the doubt, but when you see how things go over time, and all the fans feel is confusion and offer justification, it makes one wonder. You are certainly not alone in that.

      Nowadays, it's as if you have to swear an oath of fealty to an actor which is ridiculous. And hence what I call the cannibalisation of RA and the fandom. Because there is nothing there, people fill the void. If you want to see nitpicking, take a look at the endless dissection of every bit of RA and the fandom. IMO, it's not the negativity that is rampant, but the vicious gnawing on RA bits and on those who question.

      I hope you come back sometime, but I am not really sure how much longer I will be blogging. There's just nothing to talk about. We had such high hopes for him. He was a gem, a treasure. That isn't gone but has been necessarily tempered with reality. His has been a confusing trajectory. It makes no sense. Which just raises all sorts of red flags to me and many questions.

      I would always welcome a guest post from you or anyone who's brave enough to say what they really think or question or wonder. Happily I am the moderator here, so there won't be any ganging up as I've seen on other blogs.

      I'm really sad at the turn of events for RA and for the fans. Sometimes life is like that. I still hope to be proven wrong. As, I am sure, are you and many other people.

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  19. @pi Dear pi,I hope you understand what I am trying to tell you .....Thank you very much for your comment on that other post...It made me feel like less of a s**t.I think I am too opiniated and I cannot wrap everything in pretty ribbons and bows.I will finish off by saying that I have been struggling a lot with what I seemingly unleashed on that other blog and you really (this a direct translation of a French expression)put some well needed balm on my heart. Thank you !!!! Truly !!!

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    1. Chris,

      I am so out of the loop, and mostly this is because I read so few blogs or forums about Richard Armitage anymore. Given that, I have no clue why you would feel like a shit.

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    2. Hi !! Because I felt I was upsetting people, I felt I got you into trouble with my comments. People were completely misunderstanding what I was trying to say (possibly my fault) Then I starting getting the "He is a nice guy you know" he does not deserve this. I know he is a nice guy but I am not interesting in gushing. I am fascinated by the arc of his career.It is odd to say the least.I am interested in seeing him work.Not parade,pose and talking about a dwarf...I know,not his fault but I am really bored.Then I am slicing and dicing ? I never said anything about what he wore or his relationships (I do not care-ok I am lying ,his love life or lack thereof fascinates me- but that is another blog (or not).You want slice and dice holy crap I think you have seen some of these blogs go.The man cannot pick his nose or grab his crotch without somebody reporting on it.I just had a gut reaction without even reading the text .When I read I was not too sure if you were leaning toward what I felt because I had a hard time reading between the lines I balked because (right or wrong),my first thought was there we go we are playing games here.Yes I know,this is Hollywood.I was taken aback because it was Mr.Armitage who was pushing the game further than before.I was disappointed because I see him as a man of integrity.Yes you must sell your product even if you do not believe in it. But for me,there are limits to this.Thus the thought "He is being told -Jump !!! He says sure- how high !! What is really funny is I am more than willing to be wrong,I may be full of poo with my analysis.But I think it is as good (or bad) as any other..People go overboard with the mothering.I find it disturbing and I felt overwhelmed.I did not want to comment any further but my little ego peaked its little head and I felt I had to defend myself .The thing is I am so shy and bashful ( do not laugh- I truly am ) and I was squirming in my seat with the thought that I was causing this hoopla.I felt bad for making people feel bad but I do not want to pander.It was therefore time for me to go back to lurking mode and shutting up. Wow !! It is really late ! Gotta go to bed !!! Talk to you soon....

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    3. @Chris,

      I am just now seeing your reply. Dumb me didn't even realize your early comments were talking about the exchange on my blog. I began to suspect it, but sometimes I'm moving so quickly, I don't let things sink in as they ought. LOL! Okay, I'm not laughing at you but at myself for being a clod. I'm sorry you felt funny and like a shit, but please know that no one on my blog is upset including me and absolutely no one is upset with you. So no worries. :)

      I hink you're reacting to something that's not really there but may have looked like it was. First, you need to know I do think Richard Armitage is a nice guy, but I don't mind talking about his career at all and not always to be flattering. I am a consumer first and foremost (as almost all of us are) and I don't always like what I see. More important for you to know is people commenting on that recent post are people who are of the same mind. They also know this obsessive attempt to protect Richard Armitage is boring behavior and a few years ago I made a phrase to describe it and thereby really make fun of it.

      Second, and in fairness to you, there was something else going on in the comments. The post was supposed to merely be a joke about marketing a movie to swooning fangirls that was decidedly not made for fangirls. Unfortunately, it potentially could give someone a platform for speculating about Richard Armitage's and Sarah Wayne Callies's private lives. (I am not saying you were doing that. You were trying to talk about his career and not his personal life). Too late I realized that I could be facilitating that and should have known better because of my experiences and feelings about such discussions.

      I live a public life and understand all too well that the line between public and private life can sometimes be blurry, but I'm very aware there is a line. Even though it's nothing compared to the notice of Richard Armitage, my husband was on the radio for years in a huge region of our state, and he is also a well known public speaker here. Because of this, I go places where people know who I am, know things about me (or think they do) because my husband has talked about me on air, and these people treat me as if they have known me forever when I often have no clue who they are. Sometimes I enjoy this. And sometimes it's wearying because people are incessantly giving their opinions (both good and bad) of my husband and what he does publicly and questioning why he does or doesn't do certain things. I always try to remember they have some sort of vested interest in him and tangentially in me. That's part and parcel of public life, and those who can't handle that kind of heat, need to get out of the kitchen. But occasionally someone crosses the line by being petty and mean spirited with gossip and speculation about our private life and usually for the simple reason they're bored and have nothing better to do.

      I don't ever want my boredom with Richard Armitage's situation or any situation to lead me into that kind of behavior or even facilitating it in others. That's what I was reacting to and not you.

      Note: if I'd had more time, this would be a shorter comment (thinking about Woodrow Wilson)

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    4. Dear Frenz,you are a class act.Please,no worries... I love your blog. What attracted me (this goes for you also pi) was your sense of humour,your no bullshit approach,your alternate views but mostly,your humanity.That truly shines through.You are both very human human beings.You are right, I am pretty sure I overreacted (still remembering another "incident" where I opened my pi ;-) hole) I know which poster got me going (no I am not telling because this is on me and not on her and it would just be wrong) I take full and complete responsibility for every word. At some point though I felt my head spinning and I remember thinking "Here we go again !!" Then it was,oh no !! "I did not say that.." or oh no ! "I did not mean that..." Than I figured I am going to stop because I ain't to good at getting my ideas across. I also felt a bit of APM for the RCA (wasn't that a record company at some point ? LOL) Please no worries...Honestly I much prefer feeling like an ass than a s**t... Hi Han !!! Be well....

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    5. Must clarify.It is people's interpretation of what I said and/or meant that did not match what I was trying to convey.I was rereading what I wrote above and it was the sentencing that seemed weird to me...Hopefully getting better !!!

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  20. This is so funny! Like minds think alike !!! You were posting as I was posting....I may in retire for you !!!

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    1. LOL! Yes!

      If you decide not to retire, do it because your own voice is important even if most don't agree with you, and for the bigger picture. It's important to see things in perspective and provide a balance.

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  21. chris,

    Yes, I understand. :) Well, why do you think I started this blog? LOL I'm very opinionated and have been banned and/or ganged up on in the past.

    I find the best revenge is to start one's own blog. :) Then you can say exactly what you think!

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  22. I meant un retire.....I know what you mean about the slice and dice of every minutae of his life and being.Ooh he is in Brirtain for mother's day surely he will be having lamb chops with mint jelly !! Ooh look at that he is wearing blue with a touch of purple on his pocket.Really !!! Slice and dice into smaller pieces to digest....

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  23. I could start a blog if I had 1\2 the talent you have...I am not much of a writer.I do hope that I did get a few giggles out of people with my last post on the other blog.I cracked myself up (I meant every word) I think he should get his money back for getting bad advice.I do not think his lack of a career is all on them though something more profound is at play here....Merci beaucoup !!!

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  24. Actually, you don't need talent, just a brain and an opinion! I can't disagree with anything you said here, and yes, bad advice is really possible. We tend to assume the expert gods of Hollywood always know what they're doing. Major FAIL. People's careers CAN be mishandled.

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  25. Wow, am I too late for this again? Sorry Europe-time here!

    Chris, like pi and Frenzy I dearly hope you will not retire. I'm visiting (and only lurking on) Frenzy's blog, too, and read everything you have to say. And frankly, I even thought about asking about your mail adress because I think you have enough to say which is interesting! LOL I hope you stay and I'll see you here or there.

    I'm also a newbie to this circus - I cannot tell you why Armitage caught my eye. I know him from N&S some years ago and then from Spooks (but never really watched it, I’m not a spy girl) and I even had more then *less* interest in him when I was watching The Hobbit (I'm a LOTR fan and was very disappointed in the movie). I don't like to swoon or gush about him (okay, I do a little :-), he is not cute, he is not über-handsome, he is not a g-d for me and I don’t put him up on a pedestral. He is a human, I’m always looking for that, and I want to „treat“ him like that. And actually, sometimes I wonder when others gush about him how talented he is (and no question, he IS) or how flawless he is *coughs* if they see him only through pink glasses and what a neutral person would have to say about him.

    But his fandom is very delicate and fragile. I’ve watched that and sometimes it feels that this is a strong circle a newbie cannot enter to. That’s a bit difficult for me – and you always have to be aware of the APM it seems.

    And pi, I dearly hope you will continue to blog. I know, times are difficult but I enjoy your (and Frenzy’s) thoughts because they are different and sometimes like a fresh air. I really mean that.

    And since we are frankly here (and I feel myself invited :-): Yes, it makes me wonder WHY on g-d’s earth he isn’t filled with new jobs. Views may differ here but I still hear his „yes to everything“ which sound like a „hey, I’m here and ready for jobs, no matter if TV/stage/movie“. And then again (!) he’s commented two days ago on sky news „I hope to come back to UK to do some TV – or theater“. What do I have to think about it? Is it *really* his agent? He cannot beat him into a job, right? And he admited he has audition difficulties. There is a thought he wants to break into NYC theater – but even if that is true, what the heck did he do the whole time? Why isn’t he on stage like others (Sir Ian had two jobs at the same time)? I mean, we are not talking about two months. His last job (ITS) was almost 1,5 years ago. Of course, he has the right to slow down his life a bit, and I suspect he was attending some drama classes in NYC. But I see his move to NYC as a sign to break into Hollywood – but nothing happened. So, what is wrong? Maybe, as Chris said before, he is cursed. He had his difficulties before and maybe now. And with The Hobbit nothing has actually changed.

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  26. I always wondered (without going into APM) if this idea of going to NYC was really his or if it was suggested as a great idea. This „I hope to come back to UK“ has a taste, sorry. I’m not upset – if he comes back I’d be happy. Also the idea of going on Twitter – clearly not his idea and he gave signs that this isn’t his world. So, why doing it? And yes, he is selling himself. Again, this „Coddler stick to your last“-thought comes up again.

    And yes, I’m also interested in his love life. I don’t need to know any details, only that he has someone in his life who makes him happy and gives him peace. It makes me wonder and I built my own theory over this. There are rumours, there always had been some, and let me tell you, girls, I think, I have read every single comment on it. But this is just a topic which cannot be discussed openly or at all. I’m also very interested in him as a human – I want to see the whole of him. I don’t care really what he wears – he certainly looks sharp in suits but I like him best when he dresses himself (yes, that’s uncoordinated and I don’t care). I don’t look in interviews what he says but actually how he says things. I don’t need a celebrity/star, I need to see the man/the human in him. That is what it’s important to me and always will be. But of course, that is only me. And of course, I analyse or even over-analyse. I’m interested in reading human behaviour, microexpressions and everything what comes with it.

    Sorry, girls, for the extra long comment.

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    1. In the words of the immortal Britney Spears (meh) "Oops I did it again" Did I unleash something else here ? LOL
      @ Claudine.You warm the cockles of my heart !!! I would love to give you my email address !! May the powers that be help us with that !!! Do I have to sign papers ? LOL I am kind of surprised that people were noticing my theories/opinions I keep forgetting that others lurk as well so I had no clue you were reading my little ideas elsewhere !!! Interesting theories you have.The theater one,I don't know....I do not think (longtime experts correct me if I am wrong) that he was ever a big player..Was he ? Please can someone enlighten me with the audition issues...HE says he has them ? Producers say he has them ? What !! Does he faint ? Does he throw up ? What !!! Claudine,hopefully we will get to shoot the breeze in private.Thanks for your support. I was not losing any sleep over this but I did not feel to good about it either !!

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  27. First of all: Pi, your blog is simply the best and I really love your postings very, very much. (been lurking for quite some time actually). So please don’t stop/give up the only place where doubts and questions can be expressed (and there are quite a few, imo) and where endless drooling and gushing are not the ultimate requirements to take part….. Not to speak of this appalling RPM in the rest of the fandom, pardon well-wishing-community.
    Secondly: Please forgive my English – I’m trying hard!
    Frankly, I’ve never been sure whether The Hobbit was a „good“career step for RA (maybe/obviously as a personal experience? And not to forget to make some good money, of course). Too many years, far too much PR on one single project in my opinion, but no real step ahead.
    As far as I remember RA has been talking about returning to the stage for years. Yet apart from his very early years after LAMDA he’s never done anything, except this Pinter/Proust evening early this year. Honestly, I simply can’t imagine that there is not one single stage that would hire him.

    Conquering Tinseltown, moving to NYC. I assume expectations were flying (too) high up from the very beginning.
    Tornado (IST) = big question mark, despite huge promotion.
    It’s nice to see RA back to acting, hence fewer fotoshootings in extraordinarily tight clothes.

    Broccoli

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    1. LOL @ "extraordinarily tight clothes"

      I think, being not in The Hobbit was never an option. He read the books, claims to be a huge LOTR fan and when you get offered one of the main charaters you just don't refuse, I think. But yes, you also think about "what if" and about a Hollywood carreer because it's in your reach all of a sudden. The question is why it doesn't work out, or at least, not yet. I dare not to say it never will.

      ITS = We have to wait and see. Reports say cinema owners liked the trailer and Warner is/was aggressively promoting at CinemaCon and will probably continue to do so. And RA and SWC are nice toys to play with.

      Stage performance = I agree with you on that. It's getting boring to hear him saying he wants to do some play in the future. Makes him less believeable that he really wants it, right?

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    2. Claudine,see comment above 9:39 am....

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    3. I fully agree with you on taking on the role in The Hobbit. Of course each and every actor would seize the oppurtunity to become part of such a huge production. My thoughts were more about the impact on RAs career so far.

      Stage: Yes, to me it sounds a bit boring to be honest. And since he hasn't done that much since he left drama school, I'm not quite sure about these bits. But who knows. :)

      Broccoli

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    4. The Hobbit: I feel you but I wonder how his career would be if he didn't join PJ three years ago. Hard to tell but maybe the same like it is now? Or at least, he would have been cast in some tv productions?

      I don't see why The Hobbit was a mistake - yes, the hopes were flying very high (that's my interpretation of the whole thing, too) and maybe it doesn't pay off for him. But still, being in such a big production must have an impact on him. I refuse to think that he feels like he has wasted his career time (but that's bc I think highly of PJ & crew).

      I think, I've said it here before and still stick to it: His career history reminds me of some of the LOTR cast, but of course, only taken from my point of view. They all had/have their roles, their career and they are happy (I hope, I don't follow them) in what they are doing. But I bet, they all dreamt about conquering Hollywood big time (or in some way) like Bloom once did. I could be wrong but that is my thinking.

      Stage: I cannot figure out yet why I would repeatedly express my wish for going back on stage but being never really serious about it.

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    5. Broccoli, welcome!

      Is he still talking about returning to the stage? He was never really on it except for musicals, a very different kettle of fish. I never got the impression that he was really interested in it that much. If he were, he would have been taking on roles no matter how small to hone his craft and not getting his teeth fixed (I think his real goal is pretty clear).

      I find it interesting that he has admitted that he almost gave up on acting and does not see himself as a jobbing actor, that he's 'all or nothing' (clearly 'nothing' has won out lately), that he has 'no blind faith' in himself:
      http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/spooks/news/spooks-richard-armitage-i-almost-gave-up-acting

      I think all that is manifest in what is happening currently. It seems to me that whatever is driving him, it is not an overriding passion for acting.

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    6. I agree with you pi.I have had that feeling for a long time.When I discovered him last fall, I read most of his interviewsThere was a lot to read...The impression I got ,especially during SB promotion (he was mentioning it quite a few times) was that he regretted his choice of career and that he could not keep doing this forever.I think I also wrote that I had a feeling he wanted to make lots of money (hopefully quickly) thus explaining the possible American career ( where after all the big money is),thus explaining his desire for a TV show in the USA .Do the math,Hugh Laurie was making about 400 000 dollars per episode x 15-20 episodes a year x 6-7 years.You are set for life (I would be anyways...) Richard Armitage movie star ? You think he wants more attention ? I never believed he wanted more fame or attention.That just unfortunately came with the territory of taking on PJ' s world.The man has aged a lot since SB,he looks great but I think the Hobbit filming and promoting (4 years -when TABA DVD comes out in 2015 )has taken a toll on him.

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    7. If he could act,go home and never have to deal with the collateral stuff,I think he would be happier..Do not look at the painter but look at the painting...

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    8. He also said recently (and in a radio interview for SB as well), he sees his future ("in 30 years") in producing, not much directing tho. Maybe that is already his goal? With The Hobbit he must have a little nice nest egg, so he's save on that side and maybe not in a rush to take everything what is offered to him. Is that a wishful thinking? I don't know - we haven't heard him commenting on this question recently and I'm very careful what to believe if it comes to interviews. Also, he can have changed his point of views in the last couple of years.

      I agree, if he is really serious about going "back" on stage, then there must have been opportunities. His mate Sir Ian was in two stage plays, he certainly has connections in NYC. And his agent must have connections, too, right? Hmmm...? Maybe you are right, pi, and there is much more to it than we know. There are so many variables in that story that it all doesn't make sense if you look closer.

      And yes, he certainly lacks of self-confidence. Still. I personally think, he will never really get rid of it. Maybe he became disillusioned, he thought Thorn would fix some audition difficulties but they are still there?

      Never had the feeling he wants to be a star (oh, gosh, I watched a documentary on Will Smith last night - seriously, who really wants this?) or that he wants more attention to his person. I hope I'm right and he is not fooling us all.

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    9. @Claudine,

      "With The Hobbit he must have a little nice nest egg, so he's save on that side and maybe not in a rush to take everything what is offered to him. Is that a wishful thinking? "

      Yes, it's wishful thinking, IMO. You strike while the iron is hot. And he still has a cadre of image consultants, PR types etc., does he not?

      Delete
  28. I don't think I ever answered the question about what type of role I would love to see Richard Armitage playing. Maybe because I've said it so many times on my blog that I wasn't sure it was necessary to say it here.

    I'll preface my remarks about my opinion by saying that I am not against him playing in something romantic but not to the exclusion of everything else. First and foremost I just want to see him portraying someone struggling with the human condition, which very well may include a romance.

    Maybe at the end of the day, I'm figuring out I'm not really a romantic. I thought I was, but I'm tired of being marketed to. I have at times almost been insulted by this and the rabid need to squeee becomes dull after awhile. When I first started my blog, I thought it was funny that I did it, and I kept the joke going for a long time. Sometimes I can still write something that gets a laugh, but really, the squeeeing is boring at this point. My problem now is that I don't want to snark to the point of just sounding like an ass. Thinking David Letterman here. At first his sarcasm was funny, and then he just sounded like a mean and bitter old man. That's when I stopped watching him. I don't want to go down the road just to keep a joke going. The subject matter is not important enough for me to do that to myself.

    None of that is to say that some funny stuff doesn't come along that's too good to pass up. Case in point is all the talk about him being on Twitter. I can't wait to get my hands on that. Great fodder for laughing.

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    1. Playing a new role = I know where you are coming from and I agree with you on that. I haven't read Urban (and won't) but I think, his character could be worth watching. If they do it right (and it's only an adaption of the book) it's going to be a good movie, something you will like. The romance could be less tho :-) and personally, I would be okay with it.

      Why don't you consider yourself as not romantic? Like everything else, romance cannot only be put on one particular thing, it comes in many shapes.

      Squeee factor = I understand that. It became difficult to put the ironic finger on a particular thing because I assume, it repeats itself? In your case, you would welcome a twitter account then? ;-)

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    2. On a lighter note - would this fill your fodder for laughing?

      Interview Graham McTavish: "We’re trying to get a haka organised for the final premiere of the third Hobbit film so the cast perform the haka. They’re always written for people; I couldn’t just go up and start performing the All Blacks’ haka, that would be very disrespectful so this, if we’re able to do it, would be written especially by the local Maori for us to perform. That’s the plan; logistically it’s just getting us all together to rehearse it. We really want to do it."

      I'm just crackin' up only by the thought of it.

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    3. Is that when they stick there tongues out and look demented ? I would actually give money to see that...Almost...Hysterical :)

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    4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE2JcO44

      For the record: I don't think Haka or the ritual of Maori is funny. I live in a part of my country where tradition is kept alive and I'm proud of it. But I cannot imagine Armitage will be very keen on it. :-)

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    5. Claudine, No, I'm not for that. I've been on record for a while that I think he shouldn't have a Twitter account.

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    6. You took the words out of my mouth about the haka. I don't find that something that should be the object of humor. At least not for someone who is not Maori. Besides coming across as racist, it would not be very imaginative. Net: I'm not quite insensitive enough to use this as the butt of a joke.

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    7. Frenzy, I'm sorry if I came across as insensitive. When I read this from GMcT I hadn't really the ritual in mind but the bitter cold (unless there's a premiere in Wellington again) and the circumstance Armitage doesn't like to be in *that* center of attention. BUT, seriously, I respect and highly think of tradition in any form and if the whole cast would like to perform a haka, then kudos to them.

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    8. No, you didn't come across as insensitive. I was just stating how I feel. No worries.

      For the record, I normally tend toward blunt. It's faster.

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  29. @Chris: I don't know what goes wrong in auditions. I cannot imagine that he has got no chance at all. And I cannot imagine him being offered the wrong roles? I don't know the procedure of casting but I could imagine that he is maybe too polite, too „shy“ or even too „dull“ for the casting agents? I mean, look at Sparkhouse, N&S – that's a performance I'd say. If I watch the tiny bit on Hobbit's EE where he is casted as Thorin, what is dull about that? What is it that I would NOT give him a role I had offered him or he is auditioning for? Maybe he really took some time off – I mean, The Hobbit took a LOT of energy from him (did you girls read about John Callen's story on FB?), plus the RP blitz which must be very exhausting as well (and Armitage is no one who complains). Maybe he was flying under radar and did stage plays but nobody knew of? scratching head whilst catching at a straw*

    Are you on FB? If so, I have a second account.

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    1. No Claudine, no FB or tweeter or whatever else for me. I am quite "retarded" when it comes to social media...I do not really like them...As per him doing something nobody knows about...Boy !! Wouldn't that me nice for him !! Like I said ,he sneezes or farts and there is a tsunami of instagram,tweeter etc...that follows.No,never heard about John Callen.As per the auditions, the only story I know of comes from the man himself.He was thrown off by a director (or producer ?) who would not shake his hand....Supposedly said person did that all day according to his personal assistant.Mr Armitage thought he screwed up the audition because of that.I remember thinking "Better toughen up because you will not survive LA...I also remember thinking (just an idea here) that maybe that little game playing was part of the audition ? And I thought that because, in my little head,people do not treat other people like that ....But I guess I can also be naive...We are talking about Tinseltown here....Land of the true,real and decent.....Who knows ?

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    2. You can both email me via my contact info up above and I will happily pass the respective address on to each of you.

      Delete
    3. Chris: Hollywood => Snogging melons? O.O It could have been a test, I don't know. Harvey Weinstein "introduced" himself to Laura (Jennifer Lawrence's BFF who was her date at the Oscars this year) with "You know who I am". (btw, I wonder how he would have reacted to "erm, no, I actually don't" LOL)

      Pi: Thank you! <3

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    4. Snogging melons ? What did I miss ! If this from the AC interview, I stopped watching after the 2nd one....

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    5. Yep, I think it was in the third interview vom Anglophile Channel. If you have watched the other two and don't know about the melons, then it must in the third.

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  30. This is btw the bit I was referring (from fb): "Just saw this story on Tumblr... oh, RA, you are SOOOO aDORable: ascending-endlessly asked (although he looks awake here):

    "Ok so I went to a convention today and some of the boys from the hobbit were doing panels. John callen was telling us that sometimes between takes richard would separate from the others and randomly kneel down on one leg somewhere. Once John asked him if he was ok cause it's sorta weird that he was doing that and richard would be f***ing SLEEPING on one knee in some random field and he would wake up and be like 'what' and I didn't know if you knew this but you needed to bc I'm still crying"

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    1. I think that's called an Armigasm.;-)

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    2. Sleeping on one knee !! Instead of lying down ! He almost sleeps like a horse... Sorry, horses sleep on all fours to they ! Funny !

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    3. Of course, I don't know if it's true. Tumblr and such plattforms, you know. BUT taken it as true, I was just not only surprised, my mouth fell open. Not that I wouldn't have guessed already but I realised again how exhausting this shoot must have been if someone actually sleeps on one knee between the takes. I mean, think of dimensions and consequences we absolutely don't know about...

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  31. Pi, sorry, I use your platform to vent a little. Just got the news Martin Freeman will play Richard III at West End later this year. The news shared Anglophile Channel an hour ago. And BC wants to bring Hamlet on stage next year. Something for Armitage? Hmm. I WONDER really what is going on. Is there something going on at all?

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  32. A great vent, Claudia. Do you see how because we know almost nothing we can't have a real opinion and end up frustrated and chasing our tails?

    Meanwhile, Freeman and Cumberbatch have established themselves enough to take on theatre, no matter how awful they may be (though I know Cumberbatch has done theatre before to good reviews, if I recall). Freeman playing Richard !!! (sic) is mind boggling. They certainly have the name recognition compared to RA who is a mere blip in the vast pool of maybes. It doesn't help that he has not been working. It really sucks for us.

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  33. I am trying to imagine him with that wig on and I am peeing in my pants .Imagine Mr Armitage putting that wig on....Not so sure about that....LOL In all seriousness,Martin Freeman !!!! Agree with you again pi...Mind boggling !!

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    1. To be fair, maybe Freeman will surprise everyone. No doubt, having a 'name' seems to be a given in theatre. I still adore Richard Dreyfuss's take on Rick 3 in "The Goodbye Girl". :)

      RA looks the part, he talks about the part. But.... I am staring into an abyss here.

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    2. I'm having a hard time seeing Richard Armitage as the Bard's version of Richard III, who was short, and hunched and had a small man's complex. LOL! Martin Freeman makes sense. That is no aspersion on him but rather I can see him playing this part perfectly. Better than any regal looking man ever could.

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    3. Goodness !! The Goodbye Girl ! I have not seen that in ages !! Please, do step back.. From the abyss that is...: )

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    4. Richard Armitage would probably never want to play Shakepeare's RIII. It's at odds with his beliefs about the king which are tied up with family loyalty. So much so that he's set himself on this course to rehabilitate the image of RIII, and doubt he would do anything that would be a stumbling block to that. I could be wrong, but that's the distinct feeling I've gotten over the years.

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    5. @Frenz,

      Most people (like me) know nothing about Richard III and his appearance. It is theatre, where words matter, not appearance. Seriously, if the one gripe is that he doesn't look like R3 then we have a pedant, not a theatre goer.

      As for whether he would take on the Shakespearean role, I find it hard to believe he wouldn't tackle it because of his belief. It's not as if he's being asked to stir up sympathy for Hitler or Islamists, for example. I also don't think that rehabilitating R3's image is an overriding goal of his, but it does make a good talking point.

      If anything, given his track record, I imagine he would try to bring something different to the character, if allowed. Actually, it does remind me of The Goodbye Girl, where Dreyfuss's character was violently opposed to the murdering of R III's essence, yet he did it. And then got a call from Hollywood, anyway, cause they saw the talent through the mockery. LOL

      I can't believe RA is so precious that he'd give up a chance to have a substantial leading role on stage.

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    6. I was a Shakespeare fan long before I was an RA fan, so I've always seen RIII as short and hunched. When I read Martin Freeman, it just seemed to fit.

      As to everything else, you may well be right. I honestly don't know.

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  34. Cumberbatch has done a lot of (higly appraised) stage work. I saw him once, he is very charismatic.
    I agree that Freeman might surprise as RIII. I think he's much more versatile than many (of us?)believe and perhaps has been "reduced" to the comedy corner for too long? Imo it seems also quite courageous to take on such a well-known iconic part.

    RA has alsways played safe imo. Perhaps because he was struggling in his early years? I personally doubt that he has seriously pursued a career on the stage but turned towards tv quite quickly. Yet who knows, maybe now that he is financially safe? However, despite his many comments on how much he would love to do something on stage, I still believe that he is aiming at Hollywood/movies.

    Broccoli

    Thanks for your welcome pi and please, do step back from the abyss.... :)

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    1. Broccoli,

      I agree with everything you said! I think Cumberbatch is a marvelous actor, and though I know little about Freeman, as I said, he may surprise us. You're right, it is his chance to do just that.

      Yes, I think RA plays it safe. I think he is aiming at Hollywood still, because he's done everything he can publicity and image wise to help make that happen. It's glaringly obvious, IMO. It's now confirmed that the Batman role was a consideration, for example. Such crap, too.

      For someone feeling financially safe, he sure does know how to spend big bucks on a pied-à-terre in NYC. Is he feeling so well established that he buys a place in NYC? So, where are the roles?

      My thinking is one builds up an acting base, one role after another. You don't sit around waiting for THE role, or the perfect role. But he does not want to be a jobbing actor, as he says, so there is that to consider.

      My alternate theory is that he made enough money to kick back and have fun. Maybe he likes the PR angle, playing the movie star, more than acting. It's evil, I know :).

      Of course, speaking of abysses, perhaps the work is just not coming his way and/or he is not pursuing 'jobs'. Both roles he's taken on since Hobbit are leading roles in films, I suppose, where most of the money is. I wonder how many millions are enough. I wonder how many 'connections' he needs to make for it to pay off. I wonder who he has to sleep with to get anywhere. :)

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    2. How much could he have made from TH and ITS ? He "blew" a lot of money for that NYC flat. Not to mention the clothes..Unless they are provided for him...Where are the roles...Can you live off of theater ? Especially to sustain a flat in a very expensive city ? You think this guys sits around ? I still believe the work is not coming his way...Sorry !! As per sleeping around...Well maybe his " fantastic" handlers will arrange something for him....(IT IS A JOKE LOL !!!) No maybe, as I mentioned to someone in private, they can have him do cartwheels on the red carpet (reminiscent of his circus days and all) to attract more attention....

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    3. @ pi: very relieved that you have stepped back :)

      Since being trained very carefully and really well btw, RA clearly enjoys red carpets, being treated as a star, fotoshoots, interviews, expensive leather jackets, alta moda etc. etc. very much. This may have been different before The Hobbit, though I've hardly ever believed in this too-good-to-be-true-Leicestershire-lad (wow, that's quite a bit! (LOL). In any case, he's been trying hard to get a different more Hollywood-like (?) "Image" imo.

      How many millions will be enough? No idea. Yet I would also like to know a little more about how much they have made and whether they are paid for the PR. Does anyone know?

      @Chris: as far as I am informed, it is very hard to live off on stage only, at least in the UK.
      Designer clothes can be rent for an event and I suppose his stylist has an excellent network. Or do you think he bought all this stuff???! If so he must have spent a fortune and I hope there is enough space in his NYC place.....

      Broccoli



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    4. I hope he did not buy all this stuff....Like I mentioned before, he should get reimbursed because some of it....Lordy lord....Maybe he has become the Imelda Marcos of suits....Big,big,closet....

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    5. LOL !!! Maybe his apartment is just anything but closets...... :)

      Broccoli

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  35. Have been lurking here and there...I think maybe I should stop....Some fans want to see him play Aquaman......I am going to go bang by head on a wall now....Slowly....Thoroughly....

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  36. Hi ladies - pi, I have to vent AGAIN. I'm sorry! But not that I've heard only about that crazy, stupid, jaw-dropping idea of Armitage being The Aquaman, now BBC2 confirms BC will play Richard III in a tv history series.

    I know, Armitage wants to bring the true Richard III on stage or tv, and that is not really what I meant. ALL others seems to wade through work and find jobs in the UK and the USA but not .... arrrrgh. That is really frustrating bc we don't know what Armitage has in mind - yes, pi, I understand you completely.

    I've watched a small interview by TP where he says (again) he sees himself in producing - "maybe in 10 years". In the Anglophile interview he has spoken about in 30 years ... I think, if we wait two more weeks, his producing ideas are about to start this fall. Is this really what he means or is it just babbling along? Or does he see his mates get jobs and this idea comes nearer and nearer?

    And what about The Aquaman? Never heard of that (I don't care either) and really, do we need to see every comic now on screen? This is all a fan idea and one hopefully cannot be too serious about that. But I suggest, before he "conquers" Hollywood with such a role, he should stay where he is right now (wherever that is). That is not good. *facepalm*

    Sorry again. Need some air.
    And pi, I hope I'm not too late for this - please, step back from the abyss. :-)

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    1. Hey Claudine !! I had posted a comment before your's came up...It somehow disappeared...I was saying that I was busy banging my head on a wall about Aquaman....What are they on ? This is just a poll BTW...No panic !! But if he does the merman (I am being funny here LOL) I am out of here !!! OK maybe not but close.....

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    2. Chris, I know it's a fan poll. LOL But still.

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  37. If I had a nickel for every goofy fan poll I've seen with Richard Armitage, I could buy a nice dinner. Until something more definitive emerges, it means nothing to me.

    And so far, the vehicles he's chosen after his Warner Bros. stint (Hobbit movies and Into the Storm), have been far from anything like Aquaman, so I'm not too worried. In fact, the longer I think about this, the more I think he's taking his time to chose something and that something he wants to be American TV or theater. Why theater I have no clue. Maybe I have a clue, but to me American TV makes the most sense. That's where the good writing is and not in the movies. Look at Breaking Bad or Mad Men. Excellent stuff compared to the steady diet of crap at the movies which are all determined to be blockbusters and hang any real stories.

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    1. I forgot to include Captain America. That was part of the WB package too.

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    2. Frenz,

      How long have we been speculating that "he's taking his time to chose something..."? Years!

      And it seems he was perfectly willing take on movie crap like Batman if given the chance. Can't disagree about TV, whether Brit or American, being the best place for an actor these days, especially considering a handful of big names are recycled in almost every big role in film, some of whom are quite mediocre.

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  38. This guy does anything he can get his hands on (or so it seems...) He is driven by fear...He is not driven by wanting more fame or more attention or more adulation etc...All of these things are unfortunate byproducts...He is almost 43,he is aging markedly (I find anyways) and the heartthrob thing is fading away.Fear.....Does anyone "break" in Hollywood at 43 ? Men maybe more than women I am sure...

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    1. Actually nice that everybody is ageing and getting smaller, isn't it??? Though noses keep growing...... LOL (Sorry, simply couldn't resist!!)

      Broccoli

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  39. I get lost in the different replies! :-)

    Why he bought that flat in NYC may be out of tax reasons. I don't know how big that flat is but I think, it's a smaller one? So, buying a property is always a smart step in many ways.

    I always thought in the direction of Hollywood, regardless if he wants a leading role in a movie or series. I'm not so sure about that Batman thing (okay, wishful thinking here bc I don't like comic movies). The red carpet thing is flattering for him, no question, and there must be something that rubs off on him. At least, he gets used to it.

    The thing is with me, he can spend his days how he wants to. He can wait for THAT one role, he can play theater, he can sit alone in his flat and stare into the distance - whatever he wishes to fill his days. But I stumble upon those recent statements he made and that makes me wonder or even suspicious. Does he want to work but has difficulties? Is it just babbling along that he can fill the sentences? It's dangerous if he really believes he is well established - he is unknown outside the UK or the Tolkien fandom, and after two Hobbit movies plus the upcoming Storm movie (we have to wait what happens) he still is whilst his cast mates HAVE job offers (except for O'Gorman? Not sure). As far as I see him, he is trying to get his foot into Hollywood but it's not really working.

    About how much they have made with The Hobbit: I've heard 2 mio per movie for Armitage, 10 mio for McKellen. I don't know, that's what I've picked somewhere - don't quote me on that. I even don't know if that is realistic and I don't know if that includes the PR or not.

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  40. His publicist is obviously working ... I can hear which way the wind is blowing: "Richard Armitage on Game of Thrones: Hobbit star could be tempted by role in 'brilliant' show"

    "http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/richard-armitage-on-game-of-thrones-hobbit-star-could-be-tempted-by-role-in-brilliant-show-9239474.html"

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  41. pi, have you retired from blogging? (Hope not). I am way late here, because of strong interest in medieval history and those blogs and FB pages and Richard lll, which long pre-dated even the birth of Richard Armitage - he is a mere few years older than my son! :) So, I take "fandom" with a gross of salt, while being interested in his career development.

    There was a period between about 2010 - 2013 or so, when many saw N&S in N.A. And then BBC RH. There was a strong "renaissance"? of blogging, which also drew from posters and bloggers from Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and yes, Canada, then. Many of those no longer blog. Some exceptions include mulubimba, Servetus and frenz. And I hope pi keeps going, as long as it feels it is relevant to her. No more, no less.

    By now, June 2014, we all know that Richard Armitage is about to play Procter in Miller's The Crucible at the Old Vic. Bravo! No matter what, he is a talented working actor. (I agree, dump the stylist :) Not needed on voyage.)

    Cheers to all here, the 2010-2013 contingent and the new next , present wave of Armitage "interested parties".

    Judith

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  42. Hi

    I found this blog accidentally. It read a few articles and in my opinion, a lot of his fans want him to star in quality movie as an actor, not a movie star. An Oscar bait movie, perhaps? But so far, after the Hobbit, he only has Into the Storm (movie) and Crubicle (theater) and that made people question his choice.

    I don't think that he has enough power yet to make a choice in the industry. He might be famous in UK, but he's relatively unknown in the US and the rest of the world. You may think lowly of blockbuster movie like Transformer, Iron Man, Avenger and those based on comic superhero movie but you can't deny the recognition those movies bright to the actors. Chris Hemworth is unkown before Thor. Also, those movies pay. In one of his interviews, Richard stated that he has difficulty to reject the offer he doesn't like because he's afraid he will return to the beginning of his career (doing many menial jobs to survive).

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  43. Hello. Just want to comment about N&S is supposed to be RA's breakthrough role. I love him in N&S but unfortunately his role there imho didn't show his full acting skill. He needs TV show like BBC Sherlock which in overnight make Benedict Cumberbatch into star.

    Many people never heard of BC before, but after Sherlock, everything change. Steven Spielberg even called BC the greatest Sherlock Holmes he ever seen in screen. I doubt Spielberg know who RA is. His fans are all over the world including China (the future of movie market) who went to watch Star Trek because BS's the villain there. Sherlock opens many door for BC, there is no denying that. You want a plum role, you have got a star power

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  44. Very informative, keep posting such good articles, it really helps to know about things.

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