Many journalists consider you the best actor right now. What do you think about this?
I admit that I am flattered. What I have been experiencing since the release of the "Lord of the Rings" and of "Black Hawk Down" is extraordinary. It is hard for me to believe it, it is rather surrealist. All the attention that people pay me is very touching. All of this is quite new to me because nobody knew me nor was interested in my work before. I thus try to take the most out of what is happening to me. However, what makes me most happy is to have acted in films with great people who will remain good friends. Acting in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Black Hawk Down" also helped me grow up.

How come you and the other actors of the "Lord of the Rings" have suddenly made the same tattoo to yourself?
We spontaneously decided to do that, during shooting. Then we went in a tattoo parlour located at Courtney Place, New Zeeland. Only Sean Bean (Boromir)was absent. I thus recently took him to a tattoo parlour in New York so he can have his souvenir of the shooting.

On which part of your body is this tattoo?
Under my right forearm, close to the wrist.

How do you remember New Zeeland?
I just loved this country, except perhaps for those blasted insects which made our life miserable! [ laughter ] Except for this small detail, over there, everything is fantastic. I was often in awe because of the sheer beauty of the landscapes. It was splendid. I also went diving, surfing, snowboarding, bungee jumping... I love the extreme sensations and everything that is bordering on danger. Everything was tailor made for me!

Didn't having broken the back when you were twenty decrease your appetite for these extreme sensations?
Before bungee jumping for the first time, I made sure that there was absolutely no danger. You know, this accident changed a lot for me. It was a terrible experience because I was not sure I could ever walk again. But I tried to make something positive out of it. It taught me to appreciate every small bit of life and not to take myself too seriously. Before this accident, I thought that nothing could happen to me, that I was invincible. All together, this experience was very beneficial. Today, I still feel some pains in my back, but it is not very serious...

Didn't these pains bother you while shooting the "Lord of the Rings" action sequences?
Not at all, because when I am in full action, I focus so intensely on the acting that I feel absolutely nothing else. In the "Lord of the Rings" next episode, you will how athletic my part is: I run everywhere, I ride, I fight…The only minor physical problem that I had happened during the shooting of "Black Hawk Down". Whereas we were at the training camp to get ready for our part, I twisted my knee and damaged my meniscus. Nothing serious however. I could act in a movie like "Matrix" without any problem, it would be a piece of cake for me! [ laughter ]

As an English man, was it difficult for you to speak with an American accent in "Black Hawk Down"?
It was not so difficult as I thought. Of course I had some difficulties, but I had a coach to teach me how to speak with a proper American accent. At the end of the shooting, he told me by the way that I had managed very well!

Do you still live in England?
Yes, I live in London. Even though I spend not badly some time in Los Angeles right now, London is - and will stay - the best place for me in the world. I get homesick when I stay too a long time in Los Angeles. I go there only to work or make the promotion of my movies. As soon as I can, I fly back to London.

One last and inquisitive question: do you have a girl friend?
No, I am a bachelor. Now you girls know what you have to do! [ laughs ]