Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom is an English actor who rose to international fame after being cast as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, just two days after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He went on to star in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Troy, and Kingdom of Heaven.
Orlando Bloom filmed 2 productions in Queenstown: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy. Orlando Bloom is an English actor who rose to international fame after being cast as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, just two days after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He went on to star in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Troy, and Kingdom of Heaven.
About Bloom
British actor, 2 productions filmed in Queenstown.
Orlando Bloom is an English actor who rose to international fame after being cast as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, just two days after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He went on to star in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Troy, and Kingdom of Heaven.
Bloom spent extended periods in New Zealand during the LOTR shoot, filming the woodland elf Legolas across Queenstown-area locations including the forests of Glenorchy and Paradise Valley that stood in for Lothlórien.
Actor portrait
Films Shot in Queenstown
Every production Bloom filmed in the Queenstown-Lakes region, with characters, roles, and behind‑the‑scenes stories.
“Bloom performed many of his own stunts, including the iconic shield-surfing scene. He trained with the New Zealand Olympic archery team to perfect Legolas's bow work, and he has said the Queenstown beech forests were 'the greatest movie set in the world.'”
Behind the Camera
Queenstown Stories
Trivia, anecdotes, and inside stories from Bloom's time filming in Queenstown.
How old was Orlando Bloom when he was cast as Legolas?
Bloom was 22 years old and had just graduated from drama school when Peter Jackson cast him as Legolas. He flew to New Zealand days after his final performance and spent over a year filming across the Queenstown region and beyond.
Did Orlando Bloom do his own stunts in LOTR?
Yes, Bloom performed almost all of his own stunt work, including the shield-surfing sequence at Helm's Deep. He trained intensively in archery with the New Zealand Olympic team and continued practising in Glenorchy during days off from filming.
Make It Real
Walk in Bloom's Footsteps
Book a tour to the actual filming locations. Experience the landscapes that inspired the performances.
NZD $307Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour
Explore the exact Middle‑earth locations, Glenorchy, Paradise, and the Dart Valley.
NZD $189Glenorchy & Paradise Scenic Tour
Visit the backdrops behind the most iconic performances. Spectacular half-day trip.
NZD $1,518Milford Helicopter Flight & Cruise
The aerial perspective that filmmakers love. Helicopter to Milford Sound with glacier landing.
Common Questions
Everything fans ask about Bloom's time filming in Queenstown.
More to Explore
More Actors in Queenstown
From Oscar winners to rising stars, explore every performer who has made Queenstown their cinematic home.
Don't Stop Here
Continue Exploring Queenstown
From the cast to the locations, every layer of Queenstown on screen.
ExploreAll Film Productions
Eight productions, dozens of locations, one landscape. Explore every film shot in Queenstown.
LocationsFilm Location Guide
GPS‑tagged film locations with access guides. Find every spot, from Glenorchy to Milford Sound.
Book NowQueenstown Tours
Guided tours, helicopter flights, and 4WD adventures that take you to the locations from the screen.