He may be more well-known for sleuthing out a mystery or two as a modern day re-imagining of the infamous Sherlock Holmes, but when actor Benedict Cumbermatch isn’t duking it out with Captain Kirk, he’s also busy talking about his recent work on the upcoming series of Hobbit films.
Speaking to MTV from the Elton John Oscar viewing party, Cumbermatch, who plays Smaug in the upcoming films, spoke about how he thought that The Hobbit would be an amazing film.
I was very lucky [to work] with Pete [Jackson].
As far as the experience, what an extraordinary one it was because at the time I was in my work, I was in isolation with him and this incredible tag team. And at the very cool place with that technology doing mo-cap for two characters, Smaug the dragon and another character, which will remain nameless, and it was an awful lot of fun.
It’s a sort of wonderful ongoing process. I spent a lot of time recording voice as well as doing movements. So, it was sort of freeing; it was fun. It was like playing a game.
It’s going to be an amazing film; it’s going to be a real treat. I watched The Lord Of The Rings again before I started working, and the way those films grow in depth of craft on every level are extraordinary. Their mark is for that.
Speaking about the main star of the Hobbit, Martin Freeman, who portrays his suffering partner Watson in the Sherlock mini-series, Cumbermatch said “It was great. I got to hang out with him, and I kept a straight face for a bit and then I started giggling because I know Martin, I don’t know Bilbo.
“For Martin to be sitting there playing Bilbo is amazing. He’s going to be amazing, he’s going to be fantastic in this film.”
The first Hobbit film hits screens later this year, with the second part arriving a year later.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens on 14 December 2012. We’re possibly even more excited about it than Cumberbatch is.
Last Updated: March 5, 2012
