How Orlando Bloom Shot The Hobbit's Amazing Barrel Scene

The breathtaking barrel escape was definitely one of the highlights of 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' and now, thanks to this exclusive behind-the-scenes clips from the Extended Edition release, we can see the amazing techniques used to allow Orlando Bloom to perform his acrobatic feats as Legolas.

Watch it in full above.

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In the scene we see Bloom’s bow-wielding elf pursuing Bilbo and the dwarves as they escape the clutches of the Elven King Thranduil downriver in barrels.

Legolas, accompanied by Evangeline Lilly’s Tauriel, chases after them, hoping to recapture them before a band of marauding Orcs join the hunt, forcing the Elves to help the dwarves fend off their attackers.

It’s an amazing fast-paced scene and one that would require green-screens, wires, gimbals, and guys clad in bright green onesies operating two seesaws to allow Bloom to act it out for real.

"I’m firing my arrows, then doing 180 [degree jumps], then 360s," says Bloom of the crazy-looking stunt, "It was carnage. It was absolutely exhausting."

The plates of Bloom were then incorporated into the final composite to give the effect of the British star having really performed the death-defying leaps.

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition' is available on Digital HD now and released on Blu-ray 3DTM and DVD from 3rd November 2014.

Check out a deleted scene from the new release below.

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Image credits: Warner Bros.