Two icons: John Connor and Batman. Why?
Because I was asked! With Batman Begins, it was a reinvention, an origin story. Chris Nolan reinvigorated the mythology of Batman and to me that's the same task with Terminator. Obviously we're not doing an origin story; we're continuing with the mythology of the first and second films, and I see this as a chance to reinvigorate that mythology. I think that's our responsibility as filmmakers and that's what I'm trying to do.

Is Batman a hero or vigilante?
A little of both. He's only needed because the system's failed. He's a multifaceted character, that's what I enjoy about this portrayal. He's not a one-dimensional hero. The Dark Knight sums him up very well. Usually it's a white knight in shining armor that shows up — he's pure of heart. But this guy has a desire to do good, an altruism born for his parents, but he also has a great deal of violence, anger and a lust for revenge, very negative emotions that he has to keep in check all the time. So there's always that question mark, is he going to cross the line? He looks demonic, not like a knight, and for a superhero he's very conflicted. He really is not a superhero. He has no super powers.

So Batman could become like The Joker?
Right. Neither will compromise. One thing you can say for The Joker is that he's not a hypocrite. He stands by his word and will die for that. That's what he despises about society so much, that they'll quit their beliefs so easily. They'll run from heroes, they're cowards fuelled by fear. And in Batman he finds an equally uncompromising character, although Batman has a weakness: morality. He won't kill. The Joker says that he's got a really worthy opponent, and he must bring his full intellect and cunning into trying and break Batman's code of ethics. He wants to prove that everyone has a price and will sell out.

With your recent work you're becoming a star more than ever before.
The director makes the movie fantastic, regardless of the fact that Heath gave an amazing performance. Chris cast those people. And if a movie fails miserably, it's the director. He should get all the credit and all the blame. I get as much satisfaction from doing a small movie as I do from Batman or Terminator. I think Chris has proved with this that any genre of movie can be fantastic if it's in the right hands.

Was your preparation different this time?
Physically, I was coming from a place of less weakness this time round. And it was a leaner suit, so I wanted to be a little leaner myself. It's like the differences in the military, you get these big beefy fellas in the regular military, and then when you get to the Special Forces, they're leaner, wiry, and that's what I was going for. Mentally, there are more mind-games being played in this movie. Chris really laid everything out for me. The character has evolved, matured and was trying to shrug off Batman, and he's confronted with the Joker, who's trying to make him question his ethics. But naturally, while 'Begins' is purely about Batman, now we have a more complete supporting cast.

Did you enjoy the gadgets?
Yeah, any day I had free I was like, 'I need to go and practice in that Lamborghini,' or 'I got to get on that bike again.'

Why are we drawn to characters like these?
I think I share a fascination with the extreme, like many people do. Dark characters are often more intriguing. We're fascinated with people who break the rules of normal society. The shadow side is in all of us, the desire to destroy, on occasion. And when people do that, it's always fascinating. Of course, as an actor, I find that interesting. In saying that, I don't want to become predictable in my choices, but there's no doubt that those types of characters get more noticed and remembered more vividly. The good guy who toes the line is the harder character to play, because he's not that memorable. I like variety. I wanna be able to play the whole spectrum, that's what a good actor does.

So you'd have liked to play the Joker?
Yeah, sure I would. I've played demented characters in the past. Just think of Gary Oldman. Ten years ago, he'd have been playing the Joker, but just because he can play wonderful villains and bad guys, he can also play wonderful good guys. It's what a good actor does.

Can you talk about working with Heath? What made him so special?
His total commitment, his immersion is a wonderful thing to watch. He portrayed the Joker in a way that will be remembered for years, and I enjoyed the fact that he seemed to get the same pleasure out of acting as I do. It's a ridiculous job, but the more seriously you take it, the better it is. And remove the make-up, and he became wonderful company!

This movie seems to take comic book movies to a whole new level.
I think Chris has proved that films like this shouldn't be looked down on, that popcorn movies can be something with real substance and heart in them. I think he's changed the game for good.

Courtesy Planet Syndication