If theres a theme to Sharlto Copleys career so far, its transformation.
His latest project also lets him play with a range of different ideas.
From one scene to the next, Copley changes his outfit, temperament, and even accent.
I dont want to spoil too much, but Jimmys definitely an interesting guy.
I hadnt seen that done before.
Did you get to have much input into the different iterations, then?
Yeah, hugely so.
This was a very different situation from most actor/director relationships.
There was a lot of fun like that.
It was a perfect role for me.
Where did Jimmys British accent come from?
Was that your idea?
Yeah, it was.
It was fun to play around with.
The other obvious challenge in the film is the way its shot, in that first-person perspective.
How difficult was that to get used to?
It was the most difficult film Ive ever made.
I went back to Russia three times.
It really rewrites a lot of the traditional rules of filmmaking that youre used to and comfortable with.
You presumably had to act opposite a camera a lot of time, how was that?
Its such a relentless movie its almost all action, with only a few very short pauses.
How much of that did you feel when you were making the film?
It was incredibly difficult to make.
They did all that for real.
For me, its a cross between a rollercoaster and a movie and a videogame.
Its something that I would approach as an event to go to.
Its that sort of social dynamic, thats what were hoping people would experience.
I was a bit afraid beforehand that Id get motion sick.
I actually moved seats.
I was in the front row and I moved back.
Yeah, and there are people who are like You have to watch this movie in the first row!
But as far as I know no-one has thrown up in any of the screenings.
To go back to the action, did you get to do any stunts yourself?
These guys were doing something every day that could kill them.
It was some of the most challenging work Ive done in my life.
There was one take where I thought Id killed the stuntman.
I elbowed him, and he fell.
And we looked back and he was lying in the road, not moving.
It was my worst three minutes in movies.
I was convinced Id driven over him and he was going to be injured or unconscious or dead.
We got back and he was like Did you get the shot?
and I had to say, no, man, I thought I killed you.
That… is… terrifying.
Before we run out of time, I have to talk to you aboutChappie.
That film just destroyed me, I cried until my face was raw.
Oh, wow, cool!
[laughs] Thats the appropriate response to someone saying you made me cry until my face was raw.
Thats what we were going for!
There was no face, just ears and a little visor.
It genuinely was like giving birth to something new.
It was a remarkable experience.
Is there something you havent done yet that youre keen to?
What do you look for in roles now?
Thats a good question.
That was fun; it was a different acting experience, so thats kind of cool.
Sharlto Copley, thank you very much.
Hardcore Henryis released in the UK on 8 April.
