Orlando Bloom Central // news archive

Rangarsons, costume designer for "Kingdom of Heaven"
posted on May 25, 2004

What do Gladiator, Troy, Alexander the Great, and The Phantom of the Opera have in common? New Delhi-based costume designer Rangarsons. Hollywood Reporter mentions that Paramjit Singh Rana and his son Manjot have long been supplying 'military ceremonial products' to the Indian Army. Later, they found overseas takers in the Tanzanian army, Canadian police, and the Queen of England's security group. It all began in 1982 with Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning film Gandhi. One of the film's dress designers, John Mollo, employed Rangarsons to supply costumes and props for the film's British army. They worked on Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning film, Gladiator. Remember the richly embroidered banners, flags, and curtains of this Russell Crowe starrer? Rangarsons helmed it all. They are also working on the props and costumes for extras in Scott's new film, Kingdom of Heaven, featuring Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, and Eva Green.

Site Updates
posted on May 23, 2004

Added a massive amount of crispy scans from the special Orlando Bloom issue of One magazine, thanks to Vanilla. The photo gallery has also been updated in general, especially the film sections. There is now a "Troy" desktop wallpaper section - look for all of the "Troy" wallpaper contest entries as well as a new one from Marleen.

(Note: And no, I am not dead... ever since "Troy" was released, Eric Bana has become massively popular - and I've been spending the majority of my free time with Eric Bana Central :) There's already a good number of awesome Orlando sites out there, so that's the reason I've been focusing a bit more on Mr. Bana... -Stephanie)

"Troy" bloopers and more
posted on May 19, 2004

Now that "Troy" has been released for some countries, the bloopers page for "Troy" at MovieMistakes.com is steadily growing!

Also, if you've seen the and would like to post a mini-review, feel free to hop over to the "Troy" review thread at the OBC Forum.

Bloom is taken back by stardom
posted on May 18, 2004

From Mississauga News: Throngs of teenage girls are outside squealing his name, much to the chagrin of the security guards, but five floors up at one of L.A.'s swankiest hotels, Orlando Bloom is trying very hard not to notice. "It's a pretty intense time for me right now and I'm really trying to figure it all out, because that stuff is not real," said the soft-spoken Bloom, pointing towards the open balcony door as the cheers from the gathering Tiger Beat-set are reaching a fever pitch. "I'm flattered and it's all very nice, but it's like, I trained for three years as an actor...and this has nothing to do with acting. It's really starting to make me nervous." [read full article]

Photos from Tokyo premiere of "Troy"
posted on May 17, 2004

The Japanese premiere of "Troy" took place today, May 17th. Orlando is busy filming "Kingdom of Heaven" in Morocco and was unable to attend, but here are photos from the event anyway ;)

Brad and Orlando rescue Troy dogs
posted on May 17, 2004

From BBC Newsround: Troy stars Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom might be tough warriors on screen, but the pair are really a couple of animal loving softies, say reports. While they were shooting the historical epic in Malta, local stray dogs hung around the set and made friends with all the cast and crew. But Orli and Brad apparently liked two of them so much they took them home! Orli called his Guero and Brad named his new pooch Pupe. Both the dogs are now living in the US. Director Wolfgang Petersen said: "They wouldn't have survived if we'd left them." (Here are photos from The Sun.)

Latest word on "Pirates" sequel
posted on May 16, 2004

From Coming Soon: Two cool news bits have come in this weekend about the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels. First up, Dark Horizons received a report from the NATO (North American Theatre Owners) annual meeting where Disney talked about the franchise. He went on to talk about the sequel(s) to Pirates and said the entire cast and production team would be back. He said production would begin shortly on Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3 and they would be released six months apart in 2006. This was news to me as I had only heard their was going to be one sequel. This confirms earlier speculation by the Hollywood trades that Disney was going to shoot two sequels at once, much like the second and third "Matrix" films. ComingSoon.net has also confirmed with a very reliable source that Johnny Depp's wish has come true. Rolling Stones' Keith Richards will indeed play Captain Jack Sparrow's dad in the sequel. As you probably know by now, Depp modeled Sparrow in the first film after the musician.

"Troy" tops box office with $45.6 million
posted on May 16, 2004

From the Associated Press: A muscle-bound Brad Pitt fought his way through scrawny competition to claim the top spot at the box-office for the Greek epic "Troy" with $45.6 million ... "There are teen guys in the theaters, too. But I'll bet you it's the female in the couple deciding which movie they go to see." That may also have been a factor on "Troy," which boasted hunky stars Pitt, Orlando Bloom and Eric Bana. The film's audience was split equally between male and female viewers, according to Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which released the movie. "Males liked it because of the action and epic adventure of the movie. The females liked it because of Brad, Orlando and Eric," he said ... Warner Bros. expressed satisfaction with "Troy" earnings, saying its debut compared favorably with 2000's R-rated "Gladiator," which earned $34.8 million in its opening weekend and rode strong word-of-mouth praise to a $187.6 million total, even before winning the Oscar for best picture.

"Troy" premiere in Japan
posted on May 16, 2004

According to OBM.net via Naoko: According to Japan's official Troy website, Orlando will not be present, but Eric Bana, Diane Kruger, Rose Byrne, Wolfgang Petersen and David Benioff are scheduled to attend. Tickets for the premiere and red carpet have all sold out. There will also be a press conference today in Tokyo.

Box Office Numbers for "Troy"
posted on May 15, 2004

Be sure to keep up with Box Office Mojo to see how "Troy" rakes in numbers at the box office this weekend!

Entertainment Weekly specials
posted on May 14, 2004

EW.com now has a mini section for Orlando, located here. You must be a subscriber to the magazine or an AOL member to view the sections.

The May 21 issue of the magazine has a "Troy" review, and they give it a 'C' grade with this mention of Orlando: "As Paris, Bloom briefly reaches, Legolas-like, for a bow and arrow - but the gesture only draws attention to the cramped space in which the stirring young actor has to work, compared with what he could make of a well-handled quiver as an elf."

Cannes Film Festival video clips
posted on May 14, 2004

From OBM.net: Entertainment Tonight has a video clip of the cast on the red carpet, check out the brotherly love between Eric and Orlando, he gave Orlando a kiss.. aww... how sweet.

Hollywood.com has an interview video with the cast about the film and what they had to do to prepare for the movie's ultimate fight scene.

The Cannes Film Festival site itself has miscellaneous video clips from the event.

Is love in Bloom for 'good kisser'?
posted on May 14, 2004

From Sun Times: For all the ladies out there who love Orlando Bloom, this one's for you. The young hottie was so nervous during his love scenes in "Troy" that "his entire face turned bright red." That comes from his beautiful co-star Diane Kruger, who tells GLARE, "Orlando turned out to be a very good kisser and he had to kiss me in full Troy armor, which wasn't easy" ... [read full article]

"Troy" at the Cannes Film Festival
posted on May 13, 2004

From News.com.au: HOLLYWOOD took over the French Riviera today as Brad Pitt and the cast of Troy charged into the Cannes film festival, overshadowing French protests that threaten to spoil the event. Pitt and co-stars Australian Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean and Diane Kruger created a stir as they walked the red carpet to present their $US175 million ($251 million) dollar-plus swords-and-sandals epic in the blaze of Cannes publicity... [read full report] Click here to see photos from the event!

Latest word on "Pirates of the Caribbean 2"
posted on May 12, 2004

From The Z Review: News reaches us that Keith Richards has confirmed that he WILL play Johnny Depp's characters Dad in Pirates of the Caribbean 2. His role will involve four days of filming so it sounds like it will be little more than a cameo appearance.

"Troy" premiere in New York
posted on May 11, 2004

Orlando was unable to attend the New York premiere of "Troy" yesterday (Monday, May 10th), which was at the Clearview Ziegfeld theater. Here are some photos and more photos from the event!

Troy Actors Bare More than Their Female Costars
posted on May 11, 2004

From Teen Hollywood: Acclaimed filmmaker Wolfgang Petersen has served up a treat to women in his new movie Troy - there are more nude shots of hunks like Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom than the movie's female stars. The Das Boot director chose to turn his male stars into godlike beings for the duration of the epic, and that meant asking them to disrobe... [full article]

Hollywood Reporter reviews "Troy"
posted on May 5, 2004

Click here to see the Hollywood Reporter review on "Troy."

Skinny Orlando's Body Worries
posted on May 5, 2004

From Contact Music: British movie star ORLANDO BLOOM spent the first two weeks of shooting TROY working out like a madman after realising he's look like a skinny weakling next to co-stars BRAD PITT and ERIC BANA. The two action men spent months getting in shape before cameras started rolling on the movie, whereas Bloom felt sure his slight frame would enable him to pull off an authentic PARIS. But, after taking one look at Bana - his brother HECTOR in the film, the LORD OF THE RINGS star knew it was time to hit the weights. Director WOLFGANG PETERSEN recalls, "Orlando got so jealous when he saw Eric's body. He was shocked on the first day of shooting when Eric put his arm around him before the big fight. "Orlando saw his body on the little video and said, 'Oh my God, how come I look like that?' "So he immediately got a personal trainer to do whatever he could to put some muscle on! He's rather skinny, Orlando, so it was quite funny."

Latest video clips
posted on May 5, 2004

As always, head on over to OBM for all the latest video goodies! Check out clips from Total Request Live, Oprah, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and more.

TIME review of "Troy"
posted on May 3, 2004

Click here to read TIME magazine's review of "Troy."

Behind You campaign information
posted on May 3, 2004

Actor Orlando Bloom (of LOTR fame) suffered a Spinal Cord Injury in 1998, and this hunt benefits the non-profit organisation Spinal Research. The Behind You Campaign (http://www.BehindYou.org), an organization devoted to raising awareness of spinal injuries and research, is hosting an online scavenger hunt during the month of May in conjunction with Spinal Injury Awareness Day. The online scavenger hunt will both raise funds for Spinal Research (http://www.spinal-research.org) and awareness of spinal injuries and research. The hunt will begin on Friday May 21st, to mark Spinal Injuries Awareness day in the United Kingdom (there is no day, week or month to raise awareness of SCI's in the United States).

For more information on this campaign, go to the Behind You website.

Artwork contest at Forever OB
posted on May 3, 2004

Amaunet writes: I'm currenly holding an artwork contest up on my page to win Orlando related posters. Submissions from all over the world are welcome, and anybody can enter. More info is available on the page. All submissions must arrive before 20th this month, so I can choose several winners.