Well, thats great.

Ad content continues below

Absolutely.

Well, ultimately I responded to the script in a visceral sort of way, an emotional way.

I was amused by it, I found it quite funny.

I thought the scenario, of it being a prison in outer space, that got me thinking.

I was like, I suppose, potentially, thats not that far off, really.

I didnt want to play a character who was a smart-ass just for the sake of it.

So it was important for me to find all the dimensions of the character.

That macho existence of dealing with guns, breaking into buildings and doing whatever they do.

And experiencing things where its important to repress their emotions, I suppose.

Did the directors talk to you very much about the films they were referencing?

Only enough to say, Thats what were going for.

I didnt want to really delve into that too much.

I certainly didnt want to see too many.

So you could make the character your own.

You always want to give a shot to be original.

So it was best for me to keep that stuff at a distance.

Steven just kept saying to me, I want it to be funny.

I want him to be a funny guy.

He gets away with it!

So I just liked the idea of that, I think.

And maybe 10 years ago I wouldnt have liked the idea of that.

It wouldnt have been something I could have handled.

Are there any that you regret turning down, in hindsight?

Even though I look at something thats done well Ill go, I still couldnt have done that.

He was still the right guy for it.

Its so brisk and doesnt waste the audiences time.

Its refreshing to see a film with a bit of urgency about it.

Where did that come from?

Was it the script, as a result of the budget, or just good direction?

Im not really sure.

Filling out that middle act that kind of sinks ho hum, you know?

But I think it works quite well in the way youre suggesting.

Because you certainly dont feel youre lost in the middle somewhere.

It just adds another element that youre wondering as an audience member as well.

So its not just me and Maggie [Grace] trying to get the hell out of there.

And also, theres the little thing going on between Peter Stormare and Lennie [James] character.

Its a big-looking movie, too, for its budget.

$30 million buys you a good drama, but not often a good-looking sci-fi movie.

Yeah, thats right.

Did that make for a more brisk, tricky shoot?

No more nor less than usual.

Every film feels as though youre under pressure all the time, and youre watching the clock.

So it didnt feel especially pressured.

I mean, there are two directors, but James [Mather] is the cinematographer.

Hes pretty busy with that, but theyre great together theyve got a great shorthand.

And it was great being in Serbia.

Youve also madeThe Wettest County,which I believe is now calledLawless.

Which is another film youve made with John Hillcoat.

I take it that was a very different pace fromLockout.

Hes a pretty creepy, strange character I play in that film.

Very, very different.

And he has a very particular agenda of his own, this character, so things go really wrong.

Its a really interesting character to play, and again, its fantastic to work with John Hillcoat again.

Guy Pearce, thank you very much.

Lockoutcomes out in UK cinemas this Friday.

you’re able to read our review here.