ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Were you ever concerned about doing a film about the very current and controversial topic of Saudi Arabian-U.S. relations and terrorism?
JAMIE FOXX: [Shakes his head no] It's Michael Mann [the film's producer] and Michael Mann is courageous in cinema. He's on my list too, by the way. He goes right into the belly of the beast, and to be able to do a movie on a topic that is so current for people and yet still make it entertaining is a hell of a hat trick. I think the beauty of this movie is when you see the quiet moments, like when [the Saudi colonel played by Ashraf Barhoum] is with his family. It's showing a culture you don't get a chance to see in the news. You don't usually get a chance to see that there are people on the other side saying, ''I don't like the violence or crime either.'' It is a human story above all else. I like being part of a film that makes people think about the current state of the union and the government and about how you live your life. Movies have that power so we should be using it more often.
On one hand, this is very much a popcorn film with thrills, explosions, gallows humor and both you and Jennifer Garner nicely filling out your Kevlar. But, on the other, there are some very serious moments: it's extremely topical and it stars several people who have been gold-fingered by Oscar in the past. In which sphere do you think this film falls?
I would never want to jump the gun and start talking about awards so early on, but the performances are fantastic. You can't overlook Ashraf's performance or Jason Bateman's performance. He's a funny dude, but his panic is so real in those final scenes. And Peter is amazing. But it's also entertaining and action-packed. A film can be both.
What's your next move?
I'm doing The Soloist. I play a cello player who lives underneath the freeway in L.A. and has schizophrenia. A reporter from the L.A. Times notices me. It is based on a true story. It's looking good so far. We haven't started it yet. But it's shaping up. Robert Downey Jr. is on it. The writer wrote Erin Brokovich. The director is Joe Wright. We're going to make it hot.
Sounds meaty, not to mention, very different than you in real life. How does a guy who can't play a string instrument, doesn't suffer from a mental disorder, and is the farthest thing from homeless or hungry get into character?
I have to lose about 25 pounds — no fried chicken for me for a while — and I'm learning to play the cello. I'm doing a lot of research on schizophrenia. Like with Ray, I feel it's my duty to do justice to this story so I have to do my homework.
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