ORLANDO BLOOM as Joe Byrne.

Orli didn't know that much about Ned Kelly but once he was filled in about the story, he was keen to do it. He was originally meant to read for the part of Steve as well as Joe, but he only wanted to play Joe as he was Ned's right hand man and first lieutenant.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR ORLANDO?
Orli is in Lord of the rings: The return of the king which is due out in December. The Calcium Kid co-starring Billie Piper is due in February and he's currently filming the epic Troy with Brad Pitt. Orlando is certainly giving Colin Farrell a run for his money!

ORLANDO BLOOM, HEATH LEDGER AND A STORY OF AN IRISH/AUSTRALIAN FOLK HERO- IT CAN'T BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FILM NED KELLY. PREPARE TO BE SWEPT AWAY WITH A FANTASTIC MOVIE FOR THE GIRLS.. AND THE BOYS.

Oh. My. God. Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom starring in the same movie, it's just too good to be true! Actually, it's not but if you think you're going to spend the entire film swooning at the sight of the divine pair, think again. In fact, it seems the divine duo cunningly hatched a plan to make themselves look a little rough with some dodgy beards so we'd concentrate on the plot a little more. Nice try guys, but the facial hair isn't fooling anyone. Great casting aside, the story of Ned Kelly is going to keep you more than entertained as it's based on the true story of a legendary outback outlaw. The story goes something like this..

Ned Kelly may not exactly be a household name here but in Australia he's considered a folk hero. He was born to very poor Irish immigrants in the 1880's a time when there was much prejudice against Irish immigrants in Australia. After a brutal childhood, young Ned is imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of stealing a horse. After spending four years in jail, he decides to go on the straight and narrow but he soon discovers that it's no easy task to stay out of trouble when the law has it in for him and his family. When a police officer assaults his sister Kate, and is attacked for doing so, Ned and his mother are charged with his attempted murder.

Ned then decides he has only one option so, along with his brother Dan and two friends, they decide to go on the run. The gang head into the Oz outback and take to robbing banks (as you do!). They soon become the most wanted outlaws in the land. Superintendent Hare is drafted in, and his sole mission is to catch Ned and his gang. Hare finally tracks down the infamous Ned, who at this stage is considered a living legend and what follows is an extraordinary showdown.

VERDICT:
Enthralling tale with a fantastic cast that may not be entirely historically correct but will keep you glued till the end. But be warned- you may even shed a tear or two so bring your tissues along.

When did you meet the other cast? Did you know that Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom were going to be in it too?

I knew that Heath was on board as he was cast first; he's great mates with Gregor as they worked tighter before (Two Hands). I met Orlando at an audition in London. He was asking me how to do an Irish accent. I didn't know who he was as I hadn't seen Lord of the Rings, so I was there looking at this really attractive guy with perfect teeth.

So, did you think he was going for the same part as you?

Yeah. But anyway I helped with the accent. It was only afterwards I found out who he was.

Did you all hang out together?

Yeah, we had plenty of time before shooting to rehearse and learn to ride horses and shoot guns so we had a laugh. I loved it and it was great to play an outlaw.

What was the Aussie premiere like?

It was completely mad! They had closed off one of the main streets in Melbourne and there were thousands of people there. We went to a Harpers Bazaar magazine thing first in old Melbourne jail. Walking up the red carpet there were these girls screaming my name so I went over and they went, "Where's Orlando?" (Laughs). It was like so exciting. I've never seen anything like it!

They asked him if he has been in contact with any of the cast, he says they meet up and went on holiday to Perth and that Orlando wasn't there because he was filming Pirates of the Caribbean.