"I Didn't Want to Make the Film": This 2000s Star Regrets Playing in This Historical Blockbuster with a Star-Studded Cast Released 22 Years Ago

Orlando Bloom opens up candidly about "Troy," the cult blockbuster from 2004. The actor admits he never wanted to play the character of Paris and holds a bitter memory of filming alongside Brad Pitt and Eric Bana.

Released in 2004 and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Troy established itself as a massive epic featuring a prestigious cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and even Peter O'Toole. Loosely inspired by Homer's The Iliad, the film narrates the Trojan War triggered by the abduction of Helen.

For Orlando Bloom, who was at the peak of his popularity in the early 2000s thanks to The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, this experience left no positive impressions. He seems to have completely distanced himself from the film.

A Role the Actor Claims to Have "Erased"

Invited to the Know Their Lines show by Variety, the actor confessed he doesn't even remember some lines of his own character.

"Oh my God, Troy. Woah. Actually, I think I just erased that movie from my brain,” he said while laughing. “So many people love this film, but for me, playing that character was like e makes a gesture as if cutting off his head]. Am I allowed to say all these things? I didn’t want to make the film. I didn’t want to play that character. The film itself was great."

Discomfort from the Start of Filming

The actor explains he quickly felt a disconnect with his role as Paris, deemed too weak compared to the other heroic figures in the film. This impression was reinforced by certain memorable scenes.

"It was Brad [Pitt]. It was Eric [Bana] and Peter O'Toole. But how am I going to play this character? It was completely contrary to everything I felt inside. At one point, it was written that Paris had to crawl on the ground after being beaten by someone and had to hold onto his brother's leg. I thought, 'I can't do that.' One of my agents at the time said, 'But that’s the moment that will make everything!' And I completely fell for that agent's line. I think that’s why I erased it from my mind,” he explained.

Warner Bros. Pictures

A Colossal Box Office Success

Despite his reservations, Troy achieved impressive global success, nearing half a billion dollars in revenue. The film also featured other stars like Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Saffron Burrows, Garrett Hedlund, and Julie Christie.

Orlando Bloom portrayed Paris, the Trojan prince whose relationship with Helen (Diane Kruger) ignites the mythical war. A pivotal role, situated between two major sagas that marked his career.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Diane Kruger and a Tense Shoot

The experience was not easy for Diane Kruger either, who described the filming as both "exhilarating" and completely out of the ordinary.

"The sets were immense, and paparazzi were flying in helicopters waiting for Brad Pitt. It was crazy!" she recalled.

However, the film's release was also challenging, particularly in the face of harsh criticism in Germany and intrusions into her private life. The actress also mentioned a difficult moment at Cannes, where she felt "very insecure and very sad".

Warner Bros. Pictures

She was, however, able to count on the support of Brad Pitt, who reportedly told her: "I’ve heard some things, and I want you to know that you’re one of us now. Don’t let them get to you."

A Film That Became a Classic Anyway

Over time, Troy has remained a reference in epic cinema, regularly rediscovered by audiences. And even if some of its actors have mixed memories of it – Brad Pitt feels the same way – the film continues to hold an important place in popular culture.

The adventure of Troy can now be revisited on Netflix.

Watch Orlando Bloom trying to remember his iconic lines in the full Variety interview, in the video below: