Orlando Bloom on… cars and gaming

“Sadly my character doesn’t get to do a lot of driving but it has been fun to play pure passion,” Orlando Bloom tells TopGear.com about the new Gran Turismo movie. “It was Darren Cox’s madcap idea [the GT Academy] and he’s just full of passion, so that’s fun to play.”

What’s also fun to play [with] is Bloom’s classic 911, but before we get there, a quick stop at the star’s first ever car. “I’ve always had a passion for driving,” he said, “and I think my first car was from a Wandsworth Bridge Road auction.

“I bought a Mk1 VW Golf. I bought it for £160, but it was a great little car.”

Much later he bought a staple: a classic 1973 Porsche 911. “That was pretty cool. I still have it actually and I don’t think I’d ever sell it. It’s too much fun,” he said. “It’s like a little go-kart.”

Does he believe cars like that need to be driven regularly? “1,000 per cent,” he answers emphatically. “That’s why I don’t have a lot [of cars].”

Considering his role in Gran Turismo, he admits his appreciation for racing, though – much like Legolas – is more a man of action. “I’m less of a spectator and more of a doer when it comes to anything like sports. I like to get out and do things.

“Historically I’d ridden motorcycles – I like two wheels – but I did have a great track day with Porsche in Prague, because I’ve got the old Seventies 911. It led me to kind of fall in love with the brand.”

He’s also fallen in love with old arcades, too. “I wasn’t a gamer before, I’ve got to be honest,” he said. “But when I was a kid we’d go to the arcade so I’d play Daytona. When we were filming GT we’d see the sim setups that they have now, and it’s a new world of immersion into driving.

“I was quite excited at the prospect of having one of those in the house!” Same, Orlando, same.