We caught up with Wes Bentley to chat about his new projects, including Pioneer and Interstellar.

We also talked about beards.

Wes Bentley seems to be in a pretty good place right now.

Bentley plays a cocky American diver, a kind of foil to Aksel Hennies demented man-on-a-mission.

Its a fairly minor role, but an interesting one.

So, lets talk about Pioneer.

I think mostly what I learned from the film is that deep sea diving is really scary.

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Right!

[laughs]Yeah, I think back then, lots of men died.

There wasnt much security for those guys.

What appealed to you about this role?

How did you get involved with the movie?

Well, there were two things that were similarly appealing.

I didnt know much about the history of how Norway gained their oil.

But also, I lovedInsomnia, so I was intrigued to work with Erik Skjoldbjrg, the director.

And Im interested in working on foreign films.

Scandinavian films in particular have a distinct style that I wanted to be a part of.

Was it very different, working with a Norwegian cast and crew, than working in Hollywood?

There were little things that were different from working on an independent film here.

Its definitely different from working on a Hollywood big budget movie, but everythings different from that.

Your character in Pioneer lets be honest, hes not the most likeable guy.

How did you approach that character?

Did you have to do a lot of research into the training divers would have to do?

Yeah, I did a bit.

So this was a particular challenge for me.

Yeah, that sounds scary.

Thats why I like doing films, you get new challenges.

What was it like having that on your face?

How did it feel the first time you looked into the mirror with that?

[laughs]

It was weird for people at Target; it wasnt weird for people at Walmart.

They didnt find it strange at all, I fit right in.

So I hung out at Walmart all day.

It is pretty ostentatious; I can imagine you got a couple of double takes.

Gas stations were my favourite, they were a bit nervous, I guess.

It was North Carolina, so this wasnt a normal thing for them to see.

I dont know where in the world that would be normal.

Okay, so, moving on from The Hunger Games a bit, whats your favourite of your movies?

Thats a good question.

My favourite as in the film that turned out the best, or my favourite experience on a film?

I think the film that turned out the best isAmerican Beauty.

The character was so unique, but everyones work was so strong and the experience was great.

But I had the most fun on this little stoner comedy calledWeirdsville.

I was hoping youd say Weirdsville.

I love that film.

Oh, you know it?

Yeah, when I started out, what I liked about acting was improv comedy.

It is brilliant, I think it needs more of a cult following.

I thought it would by now, I have to admit.

It spins and spins and spins deeper out of control, and I like that kind of film.

Can I clear something up quickly are you really on Twitter?

Yeah, @realwesbentleyis me.

Hes a friend of mine.

But Im not the best tweeter in the world.

I put it there for people who were really gonna do some digging.

Whats your take on that?

Yeah, its crazier for sure.

In a way, thats kind of good: you might see whats out there and see it coming.

you’re able to judge whether or not you should go to the Grove or wherever.

I cant imagine dealing with that.

I just dont believe them either way!

Youve got tons of movies coming out in the near future.

Looking at IMDB theres loads of things on the way what are you most looking forward to coming out?

I was happy working on all of them, but Im dying to seeInterstellar.

Its going to be a very cool film and sort of a game-changer for filmmaking.

It goes to a place that we dont get to go to often.

Thats all I can really say, but Im looking forward to it like everyone else.

Whats next for you, then?

Do you have any aspirations for your career, anything you want to do next?

More comedy, maybe?

Im gonna give you one you probably dont hear much:London.

And hes doing something he doesnt normally do.

I know a lot of people probably havent seen that one.

Wes Bentley, thank you very much!

Pioneer is out in the UK on 11 April.