First News spoke to Orlando Bloom and Logan Lerman about sword fights, flying ships and their new film The Three Musketeers…

When did you first become aware of the story of The Three Musketeers?

Logan: I grew up with the movies. My grandfather took me to see them when I was growing up. I was introduced to them at a really young age, so I’ve known them my whole life.

Orlando: I remember seeing a film version with an actor called Oliver Reed when I was younger. It was required reading at school as well. We were all supposed to read it!

Tell us a bit about your character.

Logan: D’Artagnan is a cocky young swordsman who is leaving a small-town home and travelling to the big city of Paris where he hopes to become a Musketeer.

Orlando: The Duke of Buckingham was the wealthiest courtier of his King’s reign and he behaves like a big spoiled brat. He is like a peacock that loves to show himself off.

Logan, most of the cast was British, so did you find it a fun set to work on, being American?

Logan: Yes, it was definitely different, working with a bunch of classically-trained British theatre actors. But it wasn’t too hard, we had a lot of fun.

What is Logan’s relationship with the Musketeers?

Logan: When he meets the three Musketeers, he is immediately disappointed by them. He thought they would be heroic figures but, in reality, they are just bored drunks without any purpose. D’Artagnan changes their lives – he earns their respect and brings them back together.

Was it hard sword fighting?

Logan: We had months and months of training to look like I could sword fight smoothly. We trained for about four months before filming then, throughout filming every day, we were perfecting a new fight sequence. Our goal was to show the audience something they have never seen before.

Orlando, were you disappointed you didn’t have to pick up a sword as much in this film?

Orlando: No, it was quite nice to have the power of the British Empire behind me (as the Duke of Buckingham) and not having to lift a sword. They would have been squashed if they’d laid a finger on my character!

Was it fun to play a bad guy in this film?

Orlando: It was fun, a lot of fun. When I first sat down to talk about the movie, that in itself was exciting to me. It’s not like I am a big bad man. He’s sort of a bad guy but he’s more like a big petulant child who can throw his weight around. I really enjoyed myself with this character.

In the film, the Duke of Buckingham has a flying ship. Where would you like to go on a flying ship?

Logan: Where wouldn’t I go on a flying ship? I’d go anywhere. Definitely somewhere like Hawaii, or an island with a deserted beach somewhere.

Orlando: I’d like to tie it to my house so I don’t have to go anywhere and I can just enjoy hanging out above my home.

Why will the audience like this film?

Orlando: This is not a Musketeer movie the audience is going to expect, because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is so much, joy, humour and wit in this piece. Buckingham comes in, has these great moments where he stirs it up with the key characters, and then leaves again. It has been a lot of fun.

Have you enjoyed making this movie?

Logan: This film is that fantasy when you’re a kid, running around with sticks pretending you’re sword fighting. Everyone wants to be one of the Musketeers and it is pretty surreal to be playing one of these characters.

Orlando: The Three Musketeers story is a very famous and remarkable one. I feel like my whole career has been a journey in which I realise my childhood dreams. This film certainly adds to that. This is a movie to marvel and get lost in.

Don’t miss the Three Musketeers 3D, in cinemas now