I read as much as I could, but really just spoke to Chris Chibnall and asked all the pertinent questions. That made me feel like we weren't going to do an off-the-peg Camelot, which has been touched upon in many films and TV series before. I really just picked his brain and, in doing so, I got fired up by tackling Merlin in a fresher angle.

Joseph Fiennes

Whether you're a believer or not, I think there's a huge value in understanding the quality of redemption.

Joseph Fiennes

quality understanding thinking

There are always going to be times when it doesn't flow as much as you were hoping. So of course I'm going to fail. And when I do fail I hope I fail better and better, again and again. I am happy to fail.

Joseph Fiennes

again-and-again failing flow

I think all experience is, in some way, shape or form, filtered down to help you, in your present moment. With Shakespeare, you're trying to act with a fairly archaic language, although in certain aspects, it's deeply modern.

Joseph Fiennes

shapes trying thinking

He [Merlin] is slightly from another world and place, so it [challenge in bringing the role to life] is about having fun and presenting it in a new way. He's more of a politician, and slightly Machiavellian, but there's also a lovely relationship going on between Merlin and Arthur. There's so much to be had, really.

Joseph Fiennes

lovely fun world

When I was offered the part in Shakespeare In Love a voice in my head said 'not another tights role!

Joseph Fiennes

tights roles voice

It takes years to establish yourself, and then you have one big film and everyone calls you an overnight success. You think, 'Christ, I've been sweating and crying for seven years.'.

Joseph Fiennes

film years thinking

I don't know what my limitations are until I reach them. I look for the challenge.

Joseph Fiennes

challenges knows looks

So getting that balance between what is honoring scripture and the Word and also acknowledging the fact that by the virtue of putting it on film there's going to be a variation and adaptation, I mean, it's a fine dance and a balance. Our producers and directors have worked so hard to get that right and I'm really proud. I think it's a pretty good job.

Joseph Fiennes

jobs mean thinking

I love life. I'm fascinated by human behavior because that feeds back into my work.

Joseph Fiennes

loving-life love-life behavior

I've always believed that you shouldn't want to mend a broken heart, because that's someone you don't want to forget. Scars can be good.

Joseph Fiennes

dream heart love

I've got a vendetta to destroy the Net, to make everyone go to the library. I love the organic thing of pen and paper, ink on canvas. I love going down to the library, the feel and smell of books.

Joseph Fiennes

library smell book

Maybe we need more dialogue in terms of our faith, in terms of those who are believers, or even nonbelievers, about that aspect, and what that might mean if you were interpreting. You don't have to believe it; maybe you could draw a metaphor from it.

Joseph Fiennes

mean believe needs

I think academics are infuriating. For every expert on Shakespeare there is another one to cancel his theory out. It drives you up the wall. I think the greatest form of finding out the truth is through fantasy.

Joseph Fiennes

finding-the-one wall thinking

There is a bit of me if I'm pushed in one way I might bounce back and go the opposite.

Joseph Fiennes

opposites might way

It all felt like a terribly long time. It would have meant that I had to make five movies in five years and if you don't like the movies, too bad. I guess I just wanted my freedom, and I think my life has been incredibly enhanced as a result.

Joseph Fiennes

long years thinking

Pretty much all films I've seen that depict the life of Christ end with the Crucifixion, almost like the filmmakers don't know what to do after.

Joseph Fiennes

film ends christ

I fall in love with contradictions without understanding. I can't really portray them unless I do. So in a roundabout way I have to fall in love, it's my duty. If love is about understanding and understanding is compassion and compassion is love, I have to have compassion towards the world.

Joseph Fiennes

falling-in-love compassion love-is

But it's a strange thing when people judge you because you're not doing some big Hollywood film. Are you suggesting I should be in The Dukes of Hazzard? I mean, hello?

Joseph Fiennes

hollywood-films judging mean

You know what? Joy is the only guide. I'm going to have fun regardless.

Joseph Fiennes

guides joy fun

Conditioning can be not a big heavy thing. (For instance:) I've got a brand new pair of shoes, by mistake you step on it and you make them muddy and dirty, I'm conditioned to go "Hey, what are you doing?" That's my conditioning, I have a response. So, maybe we have to learn to find the pause before we react, because reaction is our conditioning.

Joseph Fiennes

shoes mistake dirty