A-lister Orlando Bloom got a crash course in life in the military while filming a major early-2000s war movies, Black Hawk Down.
Speaking at Fan Expo Chicago 2025, Bloom described the production on set as “like from the frying pan into the fire” for him as a then up-and-coming actor, adding that it involved a lot of “being ordered around and screamed at.”
The Hollywood film, inspired by real events from the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, follows 160 U.S. soldiers who attempt to capture two top lieutenants of a local warlord, only to find themselves in a desperate battle with heavily armed forces.
The large ensemble cast included Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, Sam Shepard, Jeremy Piven, Ioan Gruffudd, Ewen Bremner, Hugh Dancy, and Tom Hardy in his first film role.
Bloom said working with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Ridley Scott made the experience “pretty epic” but extremely demanding. “Jerry doesn’t do anything in half measures nor does Ridley,” he explained.
The actor, who recently split from Katy Perry, recounted the intense training at Fort Benning. “We went to Fort Benning. It was so brutal. I mean, it was like, I think I almost tore…I slightly tore my meniscus in my knee, but I managed to strap it and get through it,” he said.
“I think Ben properly tore his groin muscle, because everyone was really trying to go for it. And I think he had to be recast, so that was really serious,” he also added.
Bloom added, “Yeah, it was intense. We were in the bunks and being ordered around and screamed at and yelled at, and really, it was an intense thing.”
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“We spent six months in Morocco and we were sporadic in filming — and I’m really only in the beginning bit and then fall from the helicopter and then I’m there — it’s sporadic, but I felt like I was there forever because you’re a young actor and they can pay you to be there, which was great,” he said.
He continued, “I actually had a great time in Morocco as well. I had a friend, and we’d go to different parts of the country and check it out, which was cool as well. I love to travel, love to experience different cultures, and there’s an amazing culture in Morocco.”
Reflecting on the experience, Bloom said, “Yeah, I love that movie. I’m very proud — and the soundtrack to that movie is awesome.” When a moderator pointed out that the film “still holds up today,” he added, “Yeah, it’s one of those good war films.”
Bloom’s co-star Ewan McGregor also appeared at Fan Expo Chicago, reuniting with Hayden Christensen for a Star Wars panel, reminding fans that even years later, the actors’ careers continue to thrive.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
