I cherished my time filming 'Lord of the Rings' in New Zealand - it's the most beautiful, magical place with great hospitality. I love places that are completely cut off from everything - where I can relax and enjoy the simplicity of nature.

Failure is simply the non-presence of success. But a fiasco is a disaster of mythic proportions.

I don't know any family that doesn't have a story somewhere. Besides, it you didn't have those things in life, you'd be so bland.

Although it is a fantasy film, it's as real as it can be. You have to imagine that an audience will buy their ticket to a cinema and get on a first-class flight and journey to Middle Earth.

I feel really privileged to be an actor, to be paid to do something I love

I think it's sort of a rite of passage for a British actor to try and get the American accent and have a good crack at doing that.

I had studied theater for three years in London when someone suggested me for the role.