Orlando Bloom's Remarks About 'The Prince' Before Backlash Revisited: 'It's Not Malicious'

Orlando Bloom shut down claims that "The Prince" was created with "malicious" intent months before the HBO Max series sparked backlash for allegedly mocking Prince William and Kate Middleton's young children.

HBO Max and the cast of "The Prince," which includes Bloom and Sophie Turner, faced criticism from royal watchers when the 12 episodes of the animated show dropped Thursday. The series, which follows the life of the British royal family through the eyes of Prince George, has been accused by viewers of mocking the 8-year-old boy and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

However, Bloom defended "The Prince" creator and writer Gary Janetti in an August 2020 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, insisting that the series is "not malicious or intended to be."

"He’s really got his finger on the pulse, Gary," the actor told the outlet last year. "He’s so smart and so zeitgeisty."

Bloom — who voices the character of Prince Harry in the animated TV show — added, "I rolled the dice on it, but I’m going to have to mention it to Prince Harry when I next see him, because I’m not going to be able to not. Oddly, I’m sure I’m going to see him at some point, just because of the nature of the universe, it always throws people together."

Janetti made headlines in 2018 for using Prince George's memes to criticize Meghan Markle on Instagram. However, during the interview, Bloom said it was just part of the "Family Guy" writer-producer's sense of humor.

"I don’t know if you’ve seen Gary’s Instagram but he’s incredibly funny and has a very affectionate and witty way of commenting on the royal family," Bloom continued.

Bloom also shared that his wife Katy Perry encouraged him to take the role because she was also impressed with the project.

"Initially, I was like, 'Hmm, how do I feel about this,' because I’m a British boy who’s very proud of my roots. I understand how the royal family is loved by some and loathed by others, and I’ve always understood it as part of my heritage and background. I’m not someone who wants to poke fun at anyone normally, but this was so clever, witty and affectionately done," he explained.

"Actually Katy saw one bit of it and was like, 'You’ve got to do this. This is genius.' And the animation is done by some of the guys who did 'Family Guy,' so it’s going to be very amusing. And who doesn’t love the royal family?" he continued.

Shortly after its premiere, "The Prince" sparked outrage on social media for parodying Prince George and his siblings.

"He and his friends will see #ThePrince. A child won't understand why you're making fun of him," tweeted author and lawyer Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.

"It may be 'comedy' but it comes across as creepy and borderline-bullying," royal correspondent Omid Scobie, author of "Finding Freedom," wrote.

Journalist Colette Fahy called out Turner for playing the role of Princess Charlotte after asking for privacy for her own daughter.

"The mental gymnastics that celebs do to convince themselves they're right. Sophie Turner is within her rights to advocate for privacy for her daughter but how can she think it's ok to be part of this show which mocks Prince George (8), Princess Charlotte (6) & Prince Louis (3)?" Fahy tweeted.