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View Full Version : Interview with Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)

Michael Martinez
05-23-2003, 03:30 AM
New Zealand actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers', gave us an exclusive interview earlier this year. We have finally gotten around to publishing it.

Fans of the LoTR movies, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street, and many other shows will want to read Bruce's comments on Kevin Smith, Peter Jackson, working in New Zealand, and more.

Here is a teaser:

Xenite.Org: Of all the roles you've played, which did you enjoy most for:

The place...

BH: The role of Gamling in TTT, the location for Edoras, which was Mt Potts Station in the South Island of NZ. It was the most astounding setting, surrounded on three sides by snow capped mountains and rivers. In particular there was one day when it was all covered in fresh snow. Maginificent beauty.

The people you worked with...

BH: Kevin Smith. We worked together on 3 telefeatures called Lawless, a couple of Hercules and Xena eps, as well as a feature directed by Michael Hurst called Jubilee. Kevin was genuinely one of the most open and complete human beings I have ever known. There was always laughter and intelligent heart felt friendship. (NOTE: Kevin Smith is best known outside of New Zealand for his roles on Hercules and Xena as Ares, God of War and Iphicles, brother of Hercules -- he died as the result of a tragic accident in February 2002 while working in China on the movie "Warriors of Virtue 2".)

The role itself...

BH: Gamling in LOTR. Even though Gamling is not a big heroic role to play, it allowed me to be a part of what felt like a form of heaven on earth. For me the 45 days I spent shooting LOTR were truely blissful. Wonderful crew and cast, sumptuous food, plenty of coffee, amazing locations and of course working with the one and only Peter Jackson.

Xenite.Org: Of all the projects you've worked on, which set had the best food?

BH: Probably LOTR. However, the Hercules and Xena shoots had great catering also. Almost every job I have done in NZ has had very impressive food, and despite resolutions to myself saying I will take it easy, I can't help literally pigging out.

Read the full interview here:
http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/news_0001/566.html
Gwaimir Windgem
05-23-2003, 07:15 AM
Can you say suck up? :p
gimli7410
05-23-2003, 10:36 AM
as JD would say "brownoser":D
Michael Martinez
05-24-2003, 11:51 AM
I guess the old Entmoot ain't what it used to be.

However, is there a problem with our running an interview with an actor who has appeared in two shows and a movie for which our domain has relevant content?
azalea
05-24-2003, 01:40 PM
Absolutely not! I found it to be a great interview of an actor who played one of the smaller roles in LotR, which is something that we don't really get to see very often (it is usually only the "big stars" who get the opportunity to speak to the fans about their experiences in these kinds of films). Interestingly, as I watched TTT each of the four times I saw it, I wondered who that actor was, because I hadn't seen him in anything before. Thanks for posting the link!

(I don't think GW was calling YOU a suck up, I think he was refering to Bruce Hopkins talking about how great the experience working for Peter Jackson was. Be careful not to be misunderstood, Gwaimir -- we love MM here and want him to keep coming on and posting links to his articles, etc! :) )
Gwaimir Windgem
05-24-2003, 02:34 PM
Ahem, yes, I meant Bruce Hopkins, not Mr. Martinez. I seem to have a habit of being stupid. :o
Michael Martinez
05-26-2003, 12:05 AM
Well, okay, but let me point out that I am a professional suckup artist where I work. Keeping one's boss happy is an important part of being employed (and remaining employable).

Or, whatever.

Thanks for the clarifications. :)

Anyway, glad you all liked the interview. Many Bothans died to bring you that news....
Gwaimir Windgem
05-26-2003, 12:42 AM
Oo

Which HoMe volume had the Bothans? :eek:
IronParrot
05-26-2003, 05:16 PM
MM! Glad to see you back again... xenite.org's content is robust and insightful as always. Are there any new LOTR essays we should take specific note of?
Michael Martinez
05-26-2003, 06:21 PM
Heh.

Um. Let me finish rebuilding the site....:)


Bothans can be found in VOLUME XIII of THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: THE STAR WARS OF THE ELVES.
Gwaimir Windgem
05-26-2003, 06:27 PM
Originally posted by Michael Martinez
Heh.

Um. Let me finish rebuilding the site....:)


Bothans can be found in VOLUME XIII of THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: THE STAR WARS OF THE ELVES.

Hey! I thought there were only 12 Volumes! ;)