ZapGossip

Noel Clarke: Ian Somerhalder is a ‘pretty boy’


Noel Clarke says Ian Somerhalder defies expectations in ‘The Anomaly’.

The ‘Doctor Who’ actor, who stars in and directs the film, says Somerhalder – who is best known for playing charming vampire Damon Salvatore in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ – takes on a new kind of villain role and was better at action scenes than he was anticipating.

Speaking at a special screening of the film at London’s Ham Yard Hotel last night (01.07.14), Clarke told BANG Showbiz: "People weren’t expecting him [Somerhalder] to be physical because he’s quite a pretty boy, but he was a dude and got in there and did all the fight scenes. He was great."

The 38-year-old star – whose other directing credits include 2010’s ‘4.3.2.1’ and 2008’s ‘Adulthood’ – also admits he was inspired by J.J. Abrams to do more filmmaking after working with him on ‘Star Trek Into Darkness.’

He said: "J.J. is a very inspirational guy. He leads from the front and has a positive energy on set. When you have someone like that at the top, it filters on down through the crew."

‘The Anomaly’ tells the story of a former soldier – played by Clarke – who is taken captive and awakens in the back of a van where he learns that he only has a few moments to figure out how he got there.

The film is set for UK release on Friday (04.07.14).