Which actor played the protagonist Balian in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven?

Orlando Bloom played the protagonist Balian in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven.

Released in 2005, the film presents Balian as a French blacksmith who travels to the Holy Land after learning that he is the illegitimate son of Godfrey of Ibelin, played by Liam Neeson. Balian becomes Baron of Ibelin and is drawn into the political and military struggle surrounding Jerusalem.

The story builds toward the 1187 siege of Jerusalem, when Balian leads the city’s defence against the forces of Saladin. After the defenders can no longer hold out, Balian negotiates terms that allow Jerusalem’s Christian population to leave safely.

Bloom’s character is based on the historical Balian of Ibelin, but the film heavily fictionalises his biography. The historical Balian was a powerful nobleman who was already established in the region; he was not a French blacksmith and was not the son of a crusader named Godfrey in the manner shown onscreen.