Luke Evans - 'The Raven'

A day in Baltimore with movie star Luke Evans

Actor Luke Evans was in Baltimore this month to commemorate the death of Edgar Allan Poe. Evans will star in the upcoming film "The Raven."

Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 11:40 am

A day in Baltimore with movie star Luke Evans By Teddy Durgin Special to the Cecil Whig

Actor Luke Evans was in Baltimore recently with director James ("V for Vendetta") McTeigue to lay a wreath on the grave of Edgar Allan Poe. The two were commemorating the 162nd anniversary of the literary legend’s death and promoting their upcoming film, "The Raven," in which Evans will play a police detective in 19th century Baltimore, tracking a killer who is using Poe's stories as inspiration for a real string of murders. John Cusack stars as Poe, and the film will hit screens in March.

I had the chance to sit down with Evans and McTiegue in the catacombs of the landmark Westminster Hall and Burial Grounds (where Poe was laid to rest) and talk all things literature, movies, and moviemaking.

My full interview will run closer to "The Raven's" release date. Fortunately, I had enough time with Evans to ask him about his other projects. I think the 32-year-old is a real up-and-coming actor. Having had small roles in the "Clash of the Titans" remake and Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood" in 2010, he has a string of upcoming major motion pictures that could catapult him to stardom.

This month, he appears as one of "The Three Musketeers" in Paul W.S. Anderson's silly version of the classic tale. Next month, he will play the role of Zeus in "Immortals" opposite the next Superman, Henry Cavill, as Theseus. Best of all, he has a major role in what will likely be next year's most anticipated film, "The Hobbit," marking Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth.

TEDDY DURGIN:
Well, we're here today to promote "The Raven." But I was also hoping you could talk a bit about "The Three Musketeers," coming out this month.

LUKE EVANS:
Yes, of course. What would you like to know? I can tell you there's three of us!

You play Aramis, correct?
Yes, I am Aramis. It's a retelling of Alexandre Dumas' story. Director Paul W.S. Anderson has re-imagined the story and brought it up to the 21st century. The classic narrative is still very strongly told. But we've added airships and other crazy things. I mean, everybody knows the Three Musketeers. I was brought up with it, and all of those characters are still there. But we have some great baddies. We have some great good guys. And, best of all, we've made it a family film. I think this is the first time D'Artagnan has ever been played by an 18-year-old. And on top of that, you add the James Cameron 3-D "Avatar" technology which brings the tale to life in a way you've never seen before. It's not only about the swords in your faces. You'll also see palaces and locations that have never been shot before in 3-D. I think it is a vivid and beautifully detailed film and very, very fun!

So you get to say the line, right? I mean, THE line?
Oh, yes. (laughing) "All for one and one for all!" It's funny. I went from the "Musketeers" and the 17th century straight to "The Raven" and the 19th century and then to "The Immortals." I feel as much like a time traveler as an actor! But I'm making a living doing the funnest thing I've ever done in my life, and the fact that I get to do this stuff for a living is ... well, it's a dream, and I don't ever take anything for granted. I mean, look where I am. I'm in the catacombs of Westminster Hall!

I understand you are quite the singer. Would you like to do a big-screen musical?
I would love to! It was my first love, my first passion. I spent nine years making a living doing it on the West End stage. I miss it. I don't ever stop singing. I'm always singing. But it would be nice to marry the two careers I've had. And who knows? Musical films seem to be here to stay. So, when the timing is right, the project is right, and the role is right, I would 100-percent like to do it!


You mentioned 3D earlier. What are your thoughts on the technology? Do you think it's the future of movies? Do you think it's a fad?
I have done five films that have used the technology. "The Hobbit" – which is what I am doing right now – we're shooting it with more frames so we can speed up action shots and stuff like that, which has never been done before. I do think kids have a problem with it because they don't like to wear the glasses. The way 3-D is going right now is, it's not about the roller-coaster at Disney World where you stand and you fall over. It's not about that anymore when it comes to a story like "The Hobbit" or "The Great Gatsby" [which Baz Luhrmann is shooting right now in 3D] or even "The Three Musketeers." It's being used more and more to immerse the viewer, and that's something that can only be appreciated by an older moviegoer ... an adult or a teenager.

They don't want to necessarily be poked in the face with a sword or seemingly splashed with water. Those things are sort of dying out when it comes to this new art form of the 3D. From what I've seen, it has definitely earned its place in the movie world. That said, certain films don't need to be in 3D. "The Raven" did not need to be in 3D. It's stunning as it is.


Who will you be playing in "The Hobbit?"
I play Bard the Bowman. I'm the dragon killer … in 3D!