But thats exactly what he was doing when we visited the set ofJack The Giant Slayerback in 2011.

During lunch, decked out in full swashbuckler regalia, McGregor wandered over for a chat.

What attracted you to the film?

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Well, I liked the script very much, you know.

And I like that film, I thought it was really good, so it was that.

Weve seen you spend all afternoon diligently firing an arrow off towards another part of the beanstalk.

How much of what were seeing you do today will actually be in the film?

Theres always a mix of reality and non-reality and what is created afterwards and whats created here.

If anything, I think they wont use the arrow coming out, theyll generate it with computers.

Thats irrelevant, really.

Youve obviously worked with green and blue screen technology before, and now youre working in 3D also.

Whats the process like?

Its a little bit like watching paint dry, or grass grow!

It feels to me like something in the very early stages of its development.

Do you think the dominance of technology will mean that the work of actors will fade into the background?

Well it depends on the movie youre doing and everythings different.

Thats the way it should be, there should be both.

But thats just the way it is.

But it has to be that way if you want it to look like it looks.

That was my set, there!

And that was the way it had to be done, you couldnt do it any other way.

Or at least, that the way he chose to do it.

It doesnt piss me off or anything, thats just the way it is.

Ewan McGregor, thank you very much.

Jack The Giant Slayeris released on 22nd March in the UK.

You canread our interview with director Bryan Singer here.