A while back I also uploaded 2 HQ scans from the December 2009 issue of L’Officiel (Russia). Many thanks to Elmira for sending those in! A translation can be found below.

Thanks to Liza for the following translation of the L’Officiel (Russia) article:

“Prince Undressed”

Till this winter the whole world associated the British actor Ben Barnes with “Chronicles of Narnia” – his Prince Caspian was beautiful, romantic and was bravely saving the world. In January Barnes will appear in a new role – as vicious Dorian Gray.

Ben Barnes, having grown up in a serious family (his father is a psychiatrist), couldn’t be satisfied playing romantic beauties: after cinematales “Chronicles of Narnia” and “Stardust” the leading part in vampire saga “Twilight” was offered to him. But, having thought it over, Barnes refused teenage lyrics in favor of more contradictory works: he played a peppy Russian emigrant together with Andrey Chadov in “Bigga than Ben” and agreed to a role in Oliver Parker’s movie, when the director decided to shoot “Dorian Gray”. The scenes of naked Dorian have already lurked to the Internet and excited female audience.

Ben Barnes: Really? Oh God. Dunno…I’m not Matthew McConaughey: I don’t undress with any excuse. And sunlight doesn’t underline my “muscle” body: everything is not that ideal under my shirt. BTW, in that episode my character is like taking off his skin – layer after layer he’s undressing his soul in the 1st place. But I’m glad to have taken part in such a sincere episode. Any acting experience is interesting and useful for me.

L’Officiel: You mean you’re not against being naked in front of camera?
BB: I find it really hilarious to see these pics on-line and read comments like “Oh, you should eat more, at least…” People are fixed on Hollywood ideal, which I’m not. I’m simply a thin, unnaturally pale guy. But of cause it’s pleasant that not everyone see me like that.

L’O: Do you go in for sports?
BB: If only it’s necessary for a role. Now the next part of “Ch of N” is being shot, and I learn fencing and swim a lot. I try to be ready for acting in the physical point, too. But in daily life I don’t think about sport at all. Honestly, I never intended to become Arnold Schwarzenegger.

L’O: You were to play the leading role in vampire saga “Twilight”, that became a blockbuster. Are you glad, that Rob Pattinson got the part? He’s surrounded by fans all the time now.
BB: I suppose I was the 1st to see the script of “Twilight”. Then I have been tortured by screen tests with different girls for several months – while they were looking for an actress for the leading part I had to accompany everyone. When I found out that they want to make movies of all Meyer’s vampire books I thought: “I’ll be 30 soon, it’s strange to play 17-y.o. I don’t think it’ll look good”. Well, the nowadays noise aroud “Twilight”, the crazy success of the movie – it would have been unbearable for me.

L’O: Dorian Gray is a person who dreams of remaining young and handsome for his whole life. Would you like the same for yourself?
BB: May be I would have liked it…before I took part in the movie. After having watching what happened to my character I understood that it’s not so pleasant. We all live it a society that’s crazy about youth – all these Botox and cosmetic surgery, “yes-I-always-look-like-I’m-25” – but it leads to no good. At the end Dorian wants to kill himself to get rid of fake youth. “Pleasure has nothing in common with happiness”. Wilde’s novel is quite able to explain what one shouldn’t do to be happy – one should quit paying much attention to appearance. Though, I may have more in common with Dorian than it seems to me. I’m 28 but often they ask for my passport before selling alcohol to me.

L’O: Good appearance is a necessary quality for your profession…
BB: Yep, if you don’t look appropriate you won’t get a role. But it can be the other way. The can be looking for “a simple lad, like everyone else”. So “discrimination” in cinema may touch everyone, including handsome guys.

L’O: In DG you’re starring alongside with Colin Firth, aka Lord Henry, who’s seducing your character. Firth once mentioned that after he started getting grey hair and riffles more interesting role-offerings began…
BB: You see, the view of world must be changing through the years. I noticed it on Colin’s example. Playing young lord Henry – witty and with sparkling view – Colin was making laugh of me all days long and made me run for his tea. But as soon as he shifted into old lord, he changed himself. Colin became more vulnerable, was sitting quietly in a corner and it was me who made fun of him and sent him for tea! Anyway, he’s a great person. I often call him for advice, for complaining about rumors about me, for telling what role I was offered. He says that a good role one can get after 15-20 years of acting, and before you are obliged to play sweet boys. I’m very lucky to play Dorian Gray. It was a difficult part, I was even afraid of taking it, but decided that we live only once and I can’t miss the chance.

Onto the updates! It’s official, Ben has been nominated for a 2009 MTV Movie Award for his performance as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian! The category is ‘Breakthrough Male Performance‘. To vote for Ben, click here. Voting ends on May 27th!

The 2009 MTV Movie Awards will air live on Sunday, May 31st at 9 PM (Eastern) on MTV.

I’ve also uploaded some new/old photos to the gallery recently:

045 x MTV TRL *replaced with HQ’s*
013 x Fuses’ “The Sauce” *replaced with HQ’s*
007 x The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
004 x The Rachael Ray Show

015 x 2008 – Mar 16th | Narita International Airport in Japan *replaced with HQ’s*
009 x 2008 – May 2nd | Signing Autographs Outside His Hotel In NYC
002 x 2008 – May 7th | Arriving At His Hotel In NYC
007 x 2008 – May 18th | Narita International Airport in Japan *replaced with HQ’s*

001 x 2008 – May 21st | Taipei Airport
001 x 2008 – Sep 13th | Arriving At The Airport In Toronto
002 x 2008 – Oct 27th | Leaving The Hotel De Russie In Rome
002 x 2008 – Oct 29th | Signing Autographs Outside The Soho Hotel

The 2009 MTV Movie Awards will air live on Sunday, May 31st at 9 PM (Eastern) on MTV.

I’ve also uploaded some new/old photos to the gallery recently:

024 x May 5th | Barnes & Noble In Store Appearance
047 x Jun 1st | MTV Movie Awards
011 x Jun 1st | MTV Movie Awards Target & Converse After Party
005 x Oct 23rd | “Voices/In Prison My Whole Life” Screening

Have a nice day!

We are still alive, pretty much. I believe it’s safe to say that all of us are kind of busy with the Christmas festivities approaching and a million and one papers to hand in before the end of the semester. We hope you understand!

A few days ago I woke up to the awesome news that Ben is friends with none  other than Rpattz!

The actor is also friends with another uber-hunk (?!) Prince Caspian’s Ben Barnes. Ben used to groove to soul music in high school with Rob’s older sister. Source

I’m sure the two lads can share hair tips.

However, much to my chagrin in a new interview with TeenHollywood Ben says he wanted the role of the dazzling 107 year old virgin vampire who sparks like a diamond in the sun, Edward Cullen:

I wanted to be in that Twilight film but I was too old. There’s no way I could look seventeen for the next three years.

I bet the real reason behind this is that he really wanted to drive the shiny Volvo. I give it a day until the Twilightmoms start a petition to have Ben be one of the Volturi (Italian vampires) in the Twilight sequel “New Moon”… Oh wait, there’s one already.
Anyway, make sure to read the whole interview here!

Moving on to something else…

Here’s a new picture of Ben’s four and a half minutes pop career.

Ben’s become patron of Make-A-Wish!

27 year old Ben is best known for his role as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia and his latest film, Easy Virtue, premiered in London recently. Ben has become the latest celebrity to join Make-A-Wish’s list of VIP Patrons.

Neil Jones, CEO of Make-A-Wish, commented: “Make-A-Wish is extremely proud to have Ben Barnes as a Patron. His dedication and commitment will be a huge asset to the charity, and we are very honoured to welcome this popular rising film star to our team.” Source

Ben is in Yahoo’s list of Breakout Stars of 2008, see here.

Nine year old Meli, who is battling leukaemia, met actor and heartthrob Ben Barnes, on the set of the film The Picture of Dorian Gray which Ben is currently filming at The Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London.

Starlight asked Ben if he would help realise little Meli’s dream which is to appear as an extra on the film set of a period drama. Ben said, “It was a joy to have lively Meli on set and help grant her wish.”

Read the full story at Starlight.co.uk

Lovely pictures, are they not?

In other news, Ben’s the third most eligible bachelor in the UK according to Tatler. » Read article.

And for those who might be interested, the Gap ad featuring Ben is in the Holiday edition of Details Magazine with Keanu Reeves on the cover.