Q: Gosford Park is truly an ensemble piece that works so well because of all of the fabulous actors, but aside from that, what was it that drew you to the script?
A: It was working with Altman. That was it. That was why I wanted to do the film. I would have done anything to be in the film. I wanted to do it even before I read the script. The script didn't arrive for awhile, but we talked about the general idea of the film. He talked about where he wanted to shoot it. I hadn't seen anything but I knew I wanted to be part of a Robert Altman film. He's a serious, quality filmmaker and you don't pass up opportunities to work with those people.

Q: What makes him so unique?
A: He's a master filmmaker. He's a film animal. Everyone talks about the incredibly relaxed atmosphere on Altman's sets, but it's deceptive. Within that there is this incisive film brain who knows exactly what he is doing and he pulls 20 speaking parts all together. It's like watching someone create a piece of music. You start with the dialogue but soon it grows and grows and bleeds everybody in. It's hard enough when you have four or five actors in a room all speaking and to make it look effortless and get everything that you want out of the scene, but Altman can do it with twenty people. He has a serious film brain.

Q: You are on this set with some pretty amazing British actors, Emily Watson, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Alan Bates, Helen Mirren — and that's just naming a few. These are people who you probably admired growing up. What was it like for you on this set? Were you intimidated at all?
A: No, not really because everyone was there to do their particular job and we've all got a lot to do within the film. It was all really very pleasant and a thrill to be a part of this huge company and obviously a company of such quality. Everyone was there because they wanted to work with Robert Altman so that was what was keeping the whole thing together really. No one gets pampered in Altman films; people do it because they want to work with him and it's a very good starting place to be in making a movie. You're there because you want to be there.

Q: You play a valet in the film. When you got the part, did you do any prep work? Did you read about the different class systems?
A: We were all sent research, but the writer had done an awful lot for us. It had been researched so thoroughly. He knew so much detail about the whole class system of the time so that was extremely helpful.

Q: Ever since North American moviegoers saw you two years ago in Croupier, you have not stopped working. Did you ever dream when you took on that role that it would kick-start your career?
A: No, that film was dead and buried in the U.K. when it came out here. Someone once said to me, Croupier didn't get released, it escaped (laughing) and it was like that. The film was pretty much forgotten about, but then it suddenly emerged over here in North America and became this big cult hit. So it was a complete surprise when things started happening for me.

Q: Plus, you were part of the BMW Internet film series, playing the driver. You must have had a riot being involved with that. Especially working with all of those amazing directors.
A: Yes, all those directors indeed. Let's see there was Guy Ritchie, John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Pretty amazing.

Q: Not many actors get an opportunity like that in such a short time span.
A: That's for sure. Actually, I did Gosford Park in the middle of making those BMW movies. So in the span of about four or five months I was privileged and lucky enough to work with some of the world's top directors, including Robert Altman. The BMW movies were so short, they really only took about two weeks each to complete. So, yes, it was a pretty amazing experience.

Q: Plus, you get to kick Madonna out of a car. Hey, come on, everybody's dream come true!
A: (laughing) Yes, can you imagine? The thrill of movie making.

Q: Next up we'll see you in Bourne Identity with Matt Damon. The previews are pretty exciting.
A Matt Damon wakes up and doesn't know who he is, where he is, why he is and I'm one of the people pursuing him.

Q: That's all you can tell me?
A: Got to keep that suspense going. It's very intriguing.

Q: Plus, you are just about to start working on Beyond Borders.
A: Yes, that's with Angelina Jolie. I start shooting that this month in Montreal.

Q: You'll love it there.
A: I'm looking forward to it very much. I hear it's cold but I'm ready for it.

Q: I just have to tell you that all Canadians who love you, and there are a lot of us, want you to be the next James Bond. You would be the perfect choice to play the part. Have you ever been approached for that role?
A: No I haven't. I know that there has been talk and press about it, but I read what you read, so who knows?