Watch Out For Richard Armitage

by Helen Earnshaw | 4 August 2011


After making his name on British TV in the likes of Robin Hood and Spooks actor Richard Armitage is finally making his way onto the big screen.

Let's face it he didn't exactly nose dive off the ugly tree and it seemed only a matter of time before the big studios and movie came calling... and this year they have.

This summer sees him step into the big budget blockbuster for the first time as he took on the role of Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger.

A spy for the evil Johann Schmidt, Kruger finds himself being hunted by Steve Rogers through the streets of New York before taking his own life.

However it will be his role as Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's big screen adaptation of The Hobbit that has the potential to make him a major star.

Thorin is the leader of the company of dwarves that set off to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim their treasure from Smaug the dragon.

Armitage is currently down in New Zealand filming alongside other British actors including Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, Aidan Turner and James Nesbitt.

The Hobbit will be split into two movies and promises to be the biggest movie of both 2012 and 2013.

The Lord of the Rings made a star of Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood and has the potential to take Armitage away from TV and onto the big screen.

From leading action man to romantic lead Richard Armitage has a very promising movie career ahead of him.

Captain America: The First Avenger is out now

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is released 14th December 2012.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

The Hobbit Sparked Armitage's Interest in Acting

18 July 2011

British actor Richard Armitage's career has come full circle after landing a role in the Hobbit, because the original book sparked his interest inacting.

"The Hobbit was one of those books that got me into reading. It really fired up my imagination. That's why I became an actor."

Peter Jackson has hired the star to play Thorin Oakenshield, the king of the dwarves, in his upcoming Lord of the Rings two-part prequel.

And Armitage finds it thrilling to be part of the lavish production, because J.R.R.

Tolkien's original tale boosted his imagination as a kid and prompted him to work towards becoming an actor.

He tells Total Film, "When you're standing in front of Gandalf and you have to start delivering your lines, there's a moment when you can't quite believe it.

"The Hobbit was one of those books that got me into reading.It really fired up my imagination. That's why I became an actor".

Armitage will also be on the big screen this summer as he is set to appear in Captain America: The First avenger alongside Chris Evans.