Big-budget movies or TV? It’s all the same for Rellik star Ray Stevenson

The Sunday Post
Written by Bill Gibb, 25 September 2017

Brought up in Northumberland, Ray now flies halfway round the world to share a screen with Cate Blanchett.

And as iN10 catches up with him to chat about the BBC’s gritty serial killer drama, he admits it’s not the worst acting gig around.

Northern Ireland-born Ray plays Volstagg, one of the characters in the blockbuster Thor franchise.

“He wasn’t going to be in Thor 3 but then Marvel decided to fly me down to Brisbane to shoot a scene with Cate,” explains Ray.

“It was great. My kids were on set while she was destroying every known world in the universe.

“When you fly back, you’ve no idea what planet you’re on, but it’s a high class problem to have.

“The toughest thing is what to do between jobs, to just try and be normal.”

Ray has become one of Hollywood’s favourite Brit stars and Oscar-winner Blanchett is just one luminary he’s found himself acting alongside.

One of his three forthcoming films, Final Score, sees him play Pierce Brosnan’s brother and he’s also been in movies with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.

“I’ve had the most tremendous time. I went toe-to-toe with The Rock in GI Joe: Retaliation.

“I’ve got about a quarter of a centimetre height on him, but his arms are the size of my legs!

“All credit to him. He’s completely committed himself to such a playing range and he does it with such conviction.

“And then there was Denzel Washington, a double Oscar-winner. He was a consummate actor and a very decent person.

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/big-budget-movies-or-tv-its-all-the-same-ray-stevenson/

Almost 10 years after its finale, Ray Stevenson revealed what the original Rome ending and final Titus Pullo scene was supposed to be.

DEN OF GEEK
David Crow
March 17, 2017

Before there was Spartacus or The Tudors, Vikings or The Borgias—before Game of Thrones—there was Rome. As the first salvo of a legion of period epics and historic fictions on premium cable, Rome was one of the most ambitious gambles ever ventured by HBO with a first season cost that was upwards of $100 million due to pricy sets (the biggest in the world), principal photography in Italy, and the usage of old fashioned 35mm cameras.

The series proudly attempted to tell a sort of an “Upstairs, Downstairs” drama between Rome’s patrician class and its plebian underbelly, making it something of a semi-prequel to I, Claudius as we witnessed the rise and fall of Gaius Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), and then the many years of warfare between the various parties in the wake of his death—including a young Octavian (first Max Pirkis, then Simon Woods)—as well as Rome’s transition from republic to empire.

It was a grand effort… perhaps too much so. Indeed, the popular cult series only ran for two seasons, abruptly ending 10 years ago in 2007. While there was some second-guessing and regret after the ratings for Rome season 2 increased, the die was already cast and that season concluded the story with Octavian becoming Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, and his quiet plebian right-hand, Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), taking on the responsibilities of raising a son since his best mate Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) lies presumably in the grave.

“Bruno [Heller] once did outline a story that he was going to start the whole series with,” Stevenson said. “An 88-year-old Pullo going down to the riverside by Vorenus’ tomb, or sarcophagus, pouring wine on it, taking a sword out while sitting there on the banks, looking at the glistening river, and committing suicide.

“And as he has his face hit the sand on the banks, a fish jumped out of the water, and the silver light on the fish caught the sword, which brought us right into that first battle with Lucius Vorenus and [Titus Pullo] where he breaks ranks.”


http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/rome/252090/hbos-rome-ending-was-originally-very-different

"Big Game" movie trailer - Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jim Broadbent

‘Divergent’s’ Ray Stevenson Joins Starz’s ‘Black Sails’ as Blackbeard

VARIETY
Whitney Friedlander
News Editor
@loislane79



It’s a pirate’s life for Ray Stevenson, as the “Divergent” and “Rome” actor has joined the cast of the Starz drama “Black Sails” as the notorious raider Blackbeard.

Stevenson joins the cast for season three, which has Blackbeard (or Edward Teach if you’re being formal) returning to settle some unfinished business. A great deal has changed during his absence, meaning he’ll have to disrupt some cemented alliances and challenge new ones.

“Black Sails” follows feared pirate Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his crew. It takes place 20 years prior to the events depicted in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.” Stevenson joins a cast that also includes Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper, Zach McGowan, Clara Paget and Toby Schmitz. The series is created by executive producers Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine and is also executive produced by Michael Bay and his Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. Chris Symes and Dan Shotz also serve as executive producers.


READ MORE HERE: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/black-sails-blackbeard-ray-stevenson-1201459131/

Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ray Stevenson on the Red Carpet, Divergent Premiere

Jim Broadbent, Ray Stevenson and Mehmet Kurtulus join “Big Game” Jalmari Helander's actioner begins lensing September 12

VARIETY
Diana Lodderhose
Reporter

Jim Broadbent, Ray Stevenson and Mehmet Kurtulus have been added to the cast of Jalmari Helander’s actioner “Big Game

Thesps will join previously announced Samuel L. Jackson and Onni Tommila.

“Big Game” tells the story of a nervous and shy 13-year old boy who must prove his manhood by spending a day and a night alone in the forest. That night, Air Force One is shot down by terrorists and the boy discovers the U.S. President in an escape pod and the two team up to survive.

In the pic, Jackson will star as the President while Tommila plays the part of the young boy.

Pic, a Finnish-German-U.K. co-production, is based on a story by Helander and Petri Jokiranta and will be shot on location from September 12 across Bavaria and at Bavaria Film Studios.


READ MORE HERE: http://variety.com/2013/film/international/jim-broadbent-ray-stevenson-and-mehmet-kurtulus-join-big-game-1200607432/

Ray Stevenson Talks Suiting Up For 'Volstagg' Role In THOR: THE DARK WORLD

COMIC BOOK MOVIE

By DCMarvelFreshman - 7/29/2013

With its release date just over three months away, Thor: The Dark World is gearing up for a massive marketing campaign starting next month, or rather later this week. But until then, Volstagg the Voluminous actor Ray Stevenson has talked a bit about returning to Asgard for the Alan Taylor-directed Marvel sequel while out promoting the Blu-ray/DVD release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

"Thor is a completely unique experience altogether. I had to wear this vest that contained tubes pumping ice water on to my torso, otherwise my costume would have killed me!" he admitted. "First there was the big foam fat suit that went from my toes to my neck, then the costume on top of that, and then the big beard, then the wig, then I had to go and fight!"

"The truth is, I am really passionate about these action roles. I don't want to appear like some big bouncer standing on the door, I like to bring more to it and for me, that is the best part of the industry," he said. "I've worked with Alan Taylor before and he has a heart the size of planet that he wears on his arm and I'm forever indebted to him." Ray Stevenson was asked again if he'll reprise his Asgardian warrior role in Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron. "I haven't heard a thing!!" he said. "But I'd be absolutely delighted!! I'm under option with Marvel but hopefully there will be a few more Avengers films to come, I'm thinking three or four."

Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelFreshman/news/?a=84475#Gb4Pxs1ig5j51C7V.99 

'His arms are the size of my legs' Ray Stevenson on working with Dwayne Johnson

By: Kirsty McCormack

Published: Fri, July 26, 2013

EXPRESS

The 49-year-old plays Firefly in 'G.I. Joe Retaliation' but he wasn't sure about working with 'The Rock' at first.

"The director told me, ‘bring what you want to the movie but we need somebody to go up against the rock,'" Stevenson explained.

"I thought ‘well he’s a big boy…’ I’ve got about a half a centimetre height on him but his arms are the size of my legs!"

"But Dwayne was terrific – he is a consummate athlete and a consummate professional and with a couple of big guys on set together you need to know how to dance! We spent a lot of time on our fighting scenes and we took a couple of blows each; but of course we just shrugged it off.

Read more here:http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/417663/His-arms-are-the-size-of-my-legs-Ray-Stevenson-on-working-with-Dwayne-Johnson

RAY STEVENSON: How a Gay Gangster on ‘Dexter’ Inspired A Norse God in ‘Thor’ (WALL STREET JOURNAL) By Alexandra Cheney

Isaac Sirko was a gay Ukrainian gangster who sacrificed his life for the man he loved. In the seventh season of “Dexter,” actor Ray Stevenson portrayed the mobster, in a role he called “not just being the villain of the week.”

“I didn’t try to lionize it or make it grandiose,” Stevenson said. “I think love is love and Isaac had a full deep meaningful relationship but he still had the propensity to be a stone cold killer.”

Stevenson said he borrowed some of that “tough alpha man” that defined Isaac to reprise his role as the warrior Volstagg in “Thor: The Dark World,” the sequel to the 2011 Marvel Entertainment film.

The film was shot on location outside London. Stevenson chatted with Speakeasy about his character, the health of Asgard, and who Thor, the God of Thunder, played by Chris Hemsworth, really is.

Speakeasy: Has Asgard lost its luster in “Thor: The Dark World”?

Ray Stevenson: In the first “Thor” Asgard had this tremendous peace among the 9 realms. They were riding at the heights. Everything is working and looking as it should be. In this one, the realms are being whipped up into various rebellions. There is a darker malignant force out there and we are in the process of engaging in long protracted skirmishes and battles. The luster and shine of the city has been taken off and it all leads to a huge assault, an attack at the heart of Asgard. It could be completely wiped out, the stakes are a lot higher.

And what do we see of Volstagg?

He’s great on a battlefield. He is one of the warriors three and doing what they do, their time is spent fighting on many different fronts. They’re not always fighting together. Volstagg is struggling, he has a brood, they are fighting for hearth and home as much as for the idea of Asgard itself. That’s where he has trouble.

What do you mean?

He’s all too aware of how potentially threatening this new enemy is on both the home front and the battlefield.

READ MORE: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/05/22/how-a-gay-gangster-inspired-a-norse-god-in-thor/

Ray Stevenson Talks Season 7 of DEXTER, How He Got Involved, Playing the Villain, Working on a Secretive Show, Plus THOR: THE DARK WORLD & DIVERGENT by Christina Radish (COLLIDER) Posted: May 15th, 2013 at 7:48 am

Ray Stevenson is a great actor.  So, when I heard that he would be playing the villain on Season 7 of the Showtime drama series Dexter, I was very intrigued, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.  As Isaak Sirko, the ruthless leader of the Koshka Brotherhood, Stevenson gave a complex and layered performance of a character where there was certainly more than meets the eye.

During this recent exclusive interview with Collider, actor Ray Stevenson talked about how he came to be a part of Dexter, how he wished his character could have gotten Dexter (Michael C. Hall) on a kill table, that he loved working with such a great cast and crew, what it was like to work on such a secretive show, and just how much more villainous a stone cold killer can get when you break his heart.  He also talked about being a part of the Marvel universe as Volstagg in the Thor films and the challenges of wearing such an extensive fat suit, as well as what appealed to him about Divergent, in which he’s playing Marcus.  Check out what he had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.

Collider:  How did you come to be a part of Dexter?

RAY STEVENSON:  Scott Buck, who’s the showrunner, had worked with Bruno Heller on the series Rome, that I did, and the call came out of the blue.  I knew that it was a very privileged thing to get offered this nine episode lead baddie, as such.  When he started telling me about it, and said he was this Ukrainian mob boss whose business associate friend gets killed and that he’s worst than any other hit man, I was like, “Yeah, okay.”  But then, when he told me the reveal, I went, “Oh, god, Scott, I’m in!” 

When you’ve got gangsters who are homosexual, it always has to be something deviant to them.  This guy was a stone cold killer, but there always has to be some perverse deviance about a gay gangster guy.  This guy didn’t have that.  His heart was ripped out.  His heart had been broken and that’s why he went after Dexter.  So I said, “Okay, Scott, now you’ve got my attention.  Yes, I want to do it!”  

I was delighted at the chance.  It was courageous of them to go for it, and I was very happy not to end up on Dexter’s table.  At one point, I said, “What if I got Dexter on his table and put the knife across his lips, and then go, ‘You’re too pretty to kill’?”  And then, you could just see me leave on my G4 and not know where he’s going.  But, it was a beautiful ending.  Working with Michael [C. Hall] was just brilliant.  He’s the real deal.  Everybody is.  It’s an amazing crew and cast.

Was the unexpectedness of the character what ultimately appealed to you most?

STEVENSON:  It was really lovely, the way they went for it and allowed Dexter’s character to find somebody, in the weirdest place, that he could actually talk to about the detachment of being a cold serial murderer, but who is really scared about being emotionless in other aspects of his life.  They took some bold choices, which is a testament to the series itself. 

Had you been aware of how important the villains are to each season of Dexter? 

STEVENSON:  I don’t get a chance to follow TV.  I try to catch whatever series is out there, every now and then.  So, they opened me up to this, and then I realized how important it was to have this nine episodic piece.  The character played such a pivotal role in that season.  He wasn’t just in for one episode, or two or three episodes, as a villain-of-the-week sort of thing.  That’s when it dawned on me.  It was a tremendous opportunity.  I just loved it, and I loved working on it. 

READ MUCH MORE:  http://collider.com/ray-stevenson-dexter-thor-2-divergent-interview/

Kate Winslet, Theo James, Ray Stevenson: New “Dauntless” Initiation Pic Of Shailene Woodley’s Tris Prior In ‘Divergent’

EW has debuted this new still from the feature adaptation of ‘Divergent.’ Alongside Shailene Woodley, ‘Divergent’ stars Theo James, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Zoë Kravitz, Ansel Elgort, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Ben Lamb, Christian Madsen, Ray Stevenson, Mekhi Phifer, and Amy Newbold.

The above image shows Shailene Woodley’s Tris Prior out on a ledge and perched to jump as part of initiation into her faction. For those of who haven’t read the books, in the dystopian world of ‘Divergent,’ all of society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (selfless); Erudite (intelligent); Candor (honest); Amity (peaceful) and Dauntless (brave). Our sixteen-year-old heroine has chosen the Dauntless faction, which involves a lot of very scary initiation tests.

“In this photo she’s already jumped off the train and onto a seven story building as part of the initiation rite for the Dauntless,” explains director Neil Burger (Limitless, The Illusionist). “The next thing they have to do is jump from the building and down through a courtyard that has a deep, black hole. It’s terrifying.”

And filming this scene sounds almost as frightening. “We’d been nervously planning it because it is dangerous and there’s a lot of people on that roof,” says Neil Burger. “We had to pull it off safely and also pull it off cinematically, so you have this knot in your stomach as you watch this young woman decide to do this crazy thing. We had great weather that day and I think this scene really is emblematic of the movie: It shows the energy and the rawness of the way we’re telling the story,” he says.

The cast of actors all have to do all sorts of stomach-lurching things, such as jumping off of elevated trains and scaling great heights. Their director says they’re a group ready for any challenge, especially his leading lady. “Shailene says she’s not afraid of heights but that she’s afraid of falling,” says the director, with a laugh. “This makes perfect sense to me. But she really did stand on that ledge—this is a real photo. She’s incredibly game and so adventurous. In a way, she’s very Dauntless.”

‘Divergent’ is described as a thrilling adventure set in a future world where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities, Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late.

READ MORE: http://www.flicksandbits.com/2013/05/14/new-dauntless-initiation-pic-of-shailene-woodleys-tris-prior-in-divergent/47244/

Ray Stevenson to be the next James Bond? By Jim Leap London Last updated on April 27, 2013 (MEDIA MASS)

Is Stevenson set to be the next James Bond? Rumors that the producers are looking for someone slightly different to play James Bond emerged in March 2013. One of the names who keeps cropping up is Ray Stevenson.

Every man, at some point in his life, wishes he could be James Bond. And with the news that Daniel Craig may well be out as 007, there are a whole bunch of actors in London wondering what they could bring to the role

This 'Stevenson To Play James Bond' Rumor had the internet in a frenzy

Twitter was flooded again Friday with loads of tweets related to the rumor. Some fans even launched an online Facebook page called We Want Ray Stevenson for James Bond.

“His name is Stevenson. Ray Stevenson!”
— Alan Sepintree (@sepintree) April 26, 2013

“He was perfect as Porthos in The Three Musketeers, he will be tremendous portraying James Bond.”
— The Clear Observer (@clearobserver) April 26, 2013

“A 48-year-old James Bond!?! Is it some kind of a joke?”
— Boris Kleinman (@UKBoris) April 26, 2013

“Now, this might be a bit of a controversial pick for the role. But think about it: Stevenson has always been a skilled actor. He's also known for his wit.”
— Claire Stone (@averageclaire) April 26, 2013


READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://en.mediamass.net/people/ray-stevenson/james-bond.html

Divergent Begins Production, Mekhi Phifer And Ray Stevenson Join The Cast Author: Kelly West (CINEMA BLEND)

Following on the huge success of the Twilight franchise, Summit-Lionsgate continues to target the young adult audience with feature adaptations of popular book series. We have The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to look forward to this fall, along with the sci-fi film Ender's Game. And coming to theaters next March (2014) is Divergent, the feature adaptation of the first novel in Veronica Roth's YA dystopian series. The film has added two more to its cast and has begun production this week.

Summit announced today that production on the anticipation film Divergent began today in Chicago, which is where the story is set. It should be interesting to see how Chicago is transformed for the film, as the story is set in the future in what's left of the Windy City. Residents in the rundown city are divided into five factions, which determine a person's way of life. In the film, Shailiene Woodley will play the lead character Tris, a young woman who comes of age and must decide if she will stay with her family's faction or choose a different path. The twist is that, prior to deciding, she learns that she's "Divergent," which is not a good thing, and means she'll never fully fit into one faction. Tris keeps this secret as she makes her choice and joins other trainees as they undergo a series of tests to find their place among their faction.

READ MORE http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Divergent-Begins-Production-Mekhi-Phifer-Ray-Stevenson-Join-Cast-36834.html

Ray Stevenson & Elisabetta Caraccia greet fans at GI Joe premiere

Alex12SPTV

Ray Stevenson and partner at G. I. Joe Retaliation Premiere

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Ray Stevenson - Thor: The Dark World features 'deep challenges' 20 March 2013 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Chris Hemsworth's titular Norse god will face ''deep challenges'' in the upcoming 'Thor' sequel, 'Thor: The Dark World', according to his co-star Ray Stevenson.

The actor - who is set to reprise his role as the titular character's trusty sidekick Volstagg in Marvel's mythical superhero movie - has revealed that the latest installment of the franchise will see Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, face hardship as his home planet of Asgard comes under attack.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the London premiere of his new movie 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' on Monday (18.03.13), he said: ''Basically, in 'Thor', Asgard's under attack. All the happy, shiny days are soon to be behind us.

''There's some deep, deep challenges to the universe and the nine realms.''

READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/thor-the-dark-world-features-deep-challenges_3564614

Tom Hiddleston talks Loki, Ray Stevenson on Volstagg Tuesday, 19 March 2013 (FLICKERING MYTH)

After menacing the God of Thunder and Earth's Mightiest Heroes as Loki in Thor and The Avengers, Tom Hiddleston has become a firm favourite among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hiddleston is set to return to Asgard this year alongside Chris Hemsworth in the solo sequel Thor: The Dark World from director Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), and speaking to Zap2It, the British actor has expressed his love for the God of Mischief, stating that he's happy to continue portraying Loki for as long as Marvel and the audience will have him:

"It is a rare thing to be connected to a character that people enjoy watching. I never expected it my wildest dreams. You don't dare sign up for that as an actor. All any actor can see is they might play a character that somehow ignites the public imagination and it is thrilling when you do. It is in good fun. The fun of playing Loki is the character itself constantly keeps people guessing. And he provokes a double-edged sentiment in the people who allegedly he has invested in, and who he cares about. As someone, who was then cast out as the black sheep of the royal family, whether he can be accepted into that fold is a question that remains to be answered. Just how dark and evil he has become is another question I hope the film will answer."

Meanwhile, at the premiere of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Red Carpet News TV caught up with fellow Brit Ray Stevenson, who briefly spoke about returning as Volstagg in November's Thor sequel, along with Christopher Eccleston's (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) new bad guy Malekith the Accursed, and the possibility of the Warriors Three popping up in 2015's The Avengers 2:

READ MORE: http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2013/03/tom-hiddleston-talks-loki-ray-stevenson.html

Michael C. Hall and Ray Stevenson at the Showtime 7th Annual Holiday Soiree (Dec 3) (DEXTER)

Michael C. Hall and Ray Stevenson attend the Showtime 7th Annual Holiday Soiree on December 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Check out some more photos after the jump and stay tuned for even more, later today.

READ MORE: http://www.dexterdaily.com/2012/12/photos-michael-c-hall-and-ray-stevenson.html

RAY STEVENSON: Toronto; Anchor Bay Acquires ‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’ By MIKE FLEMING | (DEADLINE NEW YORK)

BREAKING: Anchor Bay Films has acquired North American and UK rights to Jayne Mansfield’s Car, the Billy Bob Thornton-directed which which makes its North American premiere on September 13th here at Toronto. Thornton stars with Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Kevin Bacon, Katherine LaNasa, Ray Stevenson, and Robert Patrick. Thornton co-wrote it with Tom Epperson. Alexander Rodnyansky produced with Geyer Kosinski.

An ensemble drama about families and the effects of combat on the complicated relationships between fathers and sons, Jayne Mansfield’s Car looks at two colorful clans in 1969. Brought together by the death of a woman who was married, first to the Alabaman Jim Caldwell (Duvall) and then to the British Kingsley Bedford (Hurt), her families meet for the first time at the Caldwells’ home with uneasy curiosity. The result is a culture clash of the Sixties, and of the Old World versus the Old South.

READ MORE: http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/toronto-anchor-bay-acquires-jayne-mansfields-car/

Ray Stevenson talks Thor 2, G.I. Joe 2 and The Three Musketeers

 

By David Bentley on Sep 28, 11 11:31 AM

RAY STEVENSON was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, raised in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Northumberland, and now lives in Ibiza.
The 47-year-old attracted Hollywood's attention when he appeared in TV series Rome. His big-screen credits include two Marvel Comics adaptations - he played the vigilante title role in Punisher: Warzone and was the rotund Asgardian warrior Volstagg in Kenneth Branagh's Thor.
He's in the upcoming G.I. Joe sequel and will next be seen on screen in The Three Musketeers.
Ray's new film Kill The Irishman was released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday (September 26) by Anchor Bay Entertainment. Thor was released on the same day in the same formats, and The Three Musketeers gets a UK cinema release on October 12.
Here, the actor talks about his projects, including whether he will be in Thor 2 following the recent news that Patty Jenkins is stepping into Kenneth Branagh's shoes to direct the thunder god's next adventure.

HOW HARD WAS IT MAKING NEW GANGSTER EPIC KILL THE IRISHMAN?
Ray Stevenson: It was a very tough shoot actually. We shot it in seven weeks. It really does come across like a 40 million dollar movie; a huge testament to (director) Jonathan Hensleigh and those involved. I was basically filming every single day; there wasn't a scene that I wasn't in.
WORKING WITH CO-STAR CHRISTOPHER WALKEN MUST HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC
Oh my God, he's incredible. And they're thoroughly prepared as well. Him and Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio... all the guys from New York. They were just great.
YOU PLAY REAL-LIFE CHARACTER DANNY GREENE. HOW FAMILIAR WERE YOU WITH HIM BEFORE YOU STARTED WORK?
I thought I wasn't at all when I was first approached, but Jonathan (Hensleigh) sent me the script. as I was reading it I thought, 'Hang on, I know this'. When I finished it I realised three or fours years ago I'd seen a programme on The History Channel about American mobsters and it was the story of Danny Greene.
THOR WAS ONE OF THE YEAR'S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTERS. HOW DID YOU LAND THE PART OF HIS ALLY, VOLSTAGG, ONE OF THE WARRIORS THREE?
Kenneth Branagh just called me up and he says, 'Ray, I've got this job...', I said, 'I'll do it!' He said, 'No, let me explain. I've been watching your work love, I know you're a big strapping guy and everything, but there's this part and I think you could do it'. Then the role nearly killed me. We were filming in New Mexico and LA. I had to have a vest on with ice water pumped through pipes on this vest to cool your core temperature down. I mean there's this huge latex fat suit, then a big pashmina woolly scarf as a beard, then a nice woolly hat as his headpiece. Then they put armour on you and give you a six-bladed axe to wield (see picture below of Ray in the role).
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN THOR 2?
I think they're in talks with the director now. I know they want to mash these worlds together in The Avengers. I don't know. If the sequel happens it may be that Thor will go off on a wild adventure on his own and lead The Warriors Three to Asgard. We'll see.

YOU'RE ALSO PLAYING PORTHOS IN THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Yes, I'm going to be in London on October 2 for the premiere. I haven't seen it yet but it was such a good shoot. (Director) Paul Anderson and (Producer) Jeremy Bolt were just tremendous, and as was the whole cast.
HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT FILMING WITH 3D CAMERAS?
The only difference with the 3D camera is that the camera 'sees around you', so your fencing has to be absolutely on point; on target, so the whole discipline had to be stepped up for that, which was great because it made you keep great focus on set, but what a story to tell!
ROME WAS A GREAT SAGA WHICH SEEMED TO HAVE MORE LIFE IN IT. WERE YOU GUTTED IT ONLY LASTED TWO SERIES?
Yes, there was a whole lot more, and even HBO admitted publicly they made an error, an error of judgment pulling that series. But they took the decision, they pulled it and then it went huge. I can't complain. It's got me my access to get representation in the States, and it's been regarded very, very fondly. Everybody would have loved to have continued with it, but the decision was out of our hands.
HOW WAS IT WORKING WITH BILLY BOB THORNTON ON HIS UPCOMING MOVIE, JAYNE MANSFIELD'S CAR?
He's an amazingly bright, clever man. He's something very special, and his script is just amazing. Robert Duvall plays his father; Kevin Bacon and Robert Patrick are his brothers; we had Tippi Hedren as our respective mum, John Hurt, myself. It's just amazing. It's all set in 1969 around the time there was this travelling show where they would be taking Jayne Mansfield's car around the States as some freak show.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OF A GAP BETWEEN SHOOTING THAT AND GI JOE 2: RETALIATION, IN WHICH YOU PLAY FIREFLY?
We did the last scene in the movie, which we finished at 2am one Saturday morning, and at 12.30 that afternoon I took a flight down to New Orleans to start on GI Joe 2. Literally out of the frying pan into the fire. I get to beat up The Rock twice, or I try to, and I get to play this cool, gnarly pyrotechnic guy.
FINALLY, AS AN IBIZA RESIDENT, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LIFE THERE?
I've got a very young family and Ibiza is... it's like having a harbour. There's a lot of people who don't make their living on the island who live on the island. We don't have seasons per se; we're not seasonal workers. Sometimes we're on the island, sometimes we're off, but it's never dull. It's good to have somewhere to 'refit the boat, scrape the barnacles off', then you're off again.