ABOVE: Watch Alexander Ludwig on Global’s The Morning Show.
TORONTO — “I don’t want to be a heartthrob,” says Alexander Ludwig, who became just that after starring in 2009’s Race to Witch Mountain and playing Cato in 2012’s The Hunger Games.
“I don’t want to do that pop-y kind of stuff. It’s just not who I am.”
The tall, handsome 21-year-old insists he’s focused on building a body of work.
“I want to tell a great story and really show my ability as an actor and inspire,” he told Global News. “Lately I’ve been really, really happy with the work I’ve been choosing to do.”
He appeared with Mark Wahlberg and fellow Canadian Taylor Kitsch in last month’s war drama Lone Survivor and will show up in the second season of Vikings, which debuts Feb. 27 on History.
“Not only is it a very edgy and cool way to tell a historical story but it’s very character-driven,” Ludwig says of his decision to do a TV series. “It’s not just an action-packed thing. The fact that all this fighting happened is just a by-product of how they lived.”
The role requires Ludwig to show off his physique — which will do little to change his heartthrob status.
He insists he eats whatever he wants.
“I eat like crazy. I do not follow a regimen as much as I should,” he explains. “If I eat a ton one day, I gotta work out that much more. I punish myself.”
Ludwig says he doesn’t feel pressure to stay in top shape.
“I like to be a healthy person. My mom is unbelievable with working out and staying healthy — and so is my girlfriend — so I think having that foundation, it’s easy for me to build upon and live that kind of life when people around me are striving for those same goals.”
Ludwig’s body was also on display in a set of photos by famed photographer Bruce Weber for an Abercrombie & Fitch campaign last year.
He has also been captured by the paparazzi frolicking on the beach during vacations.
“It’s shocking because when I was a kid I never thought that one day it could be as invasive as it is,” he says of the candid photos. “But at the end of the day, it can be a tool if used the right way to help promote things you’re really proud of. So instead of sulking about it, I can use it to my advantage.”
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Ludwig also uses social media to his advantage, regularly tweeting to his 383,000 followers.
“Social media is incredibly important because, whether an actor likes it or not, they are in the public eye and they have an opportunity to influence a lot of people. Social media is a great way to do that,” he explains.
“I love it and it’s a great way to really connect with the fans. I know some actors are not so much into that — and I totally respect that — but it’s a really great tool to show a little bit about your personality to the fans. I don’t really filter myself much. A lot of the stuff I say isn’t quite politically correct.”
After a day promoting Vikings in Toronto, Ludwig says he’s flying home to Vancouver with plans to spend some time on the slopes of Whistler with his buddies.
The rising star, who calls Santa Monica home these days, admits he doesn’t get back to Canada as often as he would like.
“I always come back for the holidays, but it’s three or four times a year at most,” he says.
“It’s been a jam-packed schedule but I’m more than happy to be living this kind of life.”
History is owned by Shaw Media, parent company of Global News.
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