Jamie Campbell Bower Gets Taken 'Prisoner'

By Denise Warner Posted Nov 13th 2009 05:09PM

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' vampire Jamie Campbell Bower stars in the upcoming AMC remake of 'The Prisoner' as 11-12, a troubled, rebellious young man whose father -- played by Sir Ian McKellen -- rules over "The Village,' a remote island kingdom.

The actor talks with PopEater about working with the legendary Oscar-winner, starring in both the 'Twilight' series and 'Harry Potter,' (He will play Dumbledore foil Gellert Grindewald), and his music.

Tell me about 'The Prisoner' and your role.
I play 11-12 who is Two's son and Two is played by his lordship the fantastic Sir Ian McKellan. 11-12 is an interesting character. He seems like he has something missing and ... it's his mission to find out what it is ... and then he eventually does find out what is missing and it comes with severe consequences. Obviously, with his father running The Village -- there's always a sense of rebellion in a young person anyway --and I think with the fact that his dad is basically the ruler of the land that he's grown up in, he feels serious, I wouldn't say animosity, but he's definitely not happy with that.

What attracted you to the part?
The money. No, I'm kidding. A, as soon as I heard the words "Ian McKellen," I was like "I'm there." I don't even care. I got the sides for a casting and the character 11-12, family is a very big thing in his story and the sides really kind of spoke to me and I found that there was something very true in what he was saying and how he was feeling. And it struck a chord with me and not many things strike a chord with me and that really really did. So right off the bat I was desperate to do it. And then I was allowed to, which was lovely.

What was it like working with McKellen?
Terrible. Ugly, awful. No, he's amazing. And it was such an honor and a blessing to have spent four months with him in the desert plains of Africa. He is a kind man, he is a very giving man and he's good fun as well. He kept us all together and he kept us all sane when we were working. He was just making sure that all of us were all right. It was an absolutely blessing and an absolute honor.

Did you turn to him for advice?
Yes, kind of. There was a few instances where he took to talk to me about his career and what he done and how he'd handled it all. It wasn't as if I was asking specific things. We would just talk about life and stuff and so I'd steal things from him.

What's it like as a young actor who, so early on in your career, has had the chance to work these stars like McKellen and Johnny Depp?
It's amazing. I mean it's super to be able to work, and even more super to be able to work with people who you've admired for your entire life. I feel incredibly honored and I'm so excited on whatever job it is that I'm doing. But to be able to work with someone that you really really respect and admire is just amazing, really amazing.

Do you have to prepare differently for television than you do for film?
I don't think so. The thing is about 'The Prisoner' is that it's definitely more of a movie. It's definitely not your average television soap opera. It's not 'Eastenders,' that we have back home, or 'Days of Our Lives.' It's much more cinematic. And particularly now the way that television is being shot, in American in particular, it's becoming much more theatrical. As people get bigger TV screens and High definition becomes more widely used and picture quality becomes better, television seems to be catching up with the world of cinema, which is actually fantastic because it looks amazing.

TV isn't the same as it used to be.
No, exactly. So in answer to your question, do you have to prepare differently, I don't think so.

Do you have favorite role so far of your career?
11-12.

You've been the good guy in movies like 'Sweeney Todd' and you've been the bad guy in 'New Moon' – which do you prefer?
Wherever the job is, I'll do it. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad. I'll be the bad guy, sure. I like to be diverse. I like exploring different sides of me. Every character is different, so it's fun.

You're starring in the two biggest movie franchises of the moment – 'Harry Potter' and 'Twilight.' Were you prepared for the craziness that comes with the respective fanbases?
To be honest with you, A, I haven't experienced it so much and B, I'm not really thinking about it because it's not why I'm doing this. It's great that people want to take my picture or whatever, but I'm not in this game to do that. I'm in this because I like to act and I like to make movies and I like to make stories come to life. And so am I ready for it? Or have I been ready for it? I don't know.

Have you always wanted to be an actor?
I always wanted to perform, whether it be acting or music. Those were just the two things that I've always, always always wanted to do.

You showed off your singing voice in 'Sweeney Todd,' are you still singing?
I'm still singing. I play in a band. So I try and sing as much as possible.

What kind of music?
It's kind of like accessible rock music. We're definitely not the coolest band in the world. We play the music that we want to listen to.