Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin Discuss Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Posted 05.03.11 by BrentJS
Despite the fact that superstar Johnny Depp and his character, Captain Jack Sparrow, are far and away the biggest draws of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies, the studio has been spotlighting two of the newest additions to the franchise in recent weeks. Spanish-French model and actress Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey joins the cast as the mermaid Syrena, and her character has been featured in the latest trailer, in the new TV spot and posters, and even in some promotional concept art.
While receiving decidedly less coverage than Bergès-Frisbey, new addition Sam Claflin, who plays Philip, a missionary captured by Blackbeard (Ian McShane) who wants to stop the notorious pirate from using Syrena in his scheme to gain eternal life, has also appeared in recent footage from the movie. He even turned up with Syrena on the latest poster for the movie. The two young actors were also the subjects of a set of recent interviews for the latest issue of Empire magazine.
The mermaids depicted in pop culture today are often beautiful, benevolent creatures inspired by such movies as Splash and The Little Mermaid, but the mermaids of myth were cruel creatures who seduced men into drowning themselves or simply dragged them down into the depths. Bergès-Frisbey told Empire that Syrena is far more the latter than the former in On Stranger Tides.
She's a mermaid, but...but more in the Greek idea, the first mermaids, killing pirates. They really are creatures. A mix, between animal, fish and a woman. Depending on the moment, I have a tail, computer generated. They are not like a pretty girl with a tail. It is crazy! Crazy!
Though on the surface Claflin's character seems simply like a substitute for Will Turner (played by Orlando Bloom in the previous movies), the British actor told Empire that Philip and Will have very different backgrounds and motivations.
[Philip] is youthful and there is that naivety, but he's a different character to Will Turner. He has very different morals. His belief in God cuts out the swashbuckling. He's the guy trying to stop the fighting.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall. The script was written by Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot and is loosely based on the novel On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers. The cast includes
Penelope Cruz as Angelica, Blackbeard's daughter and a woman from Jack's mysterious past; Kevin R. McNally as Sparrow's longtime companion, Joshamee Gibbs; and Academy Award&ndsash;winner Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa.
Next Showing: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides opens May 20