Josh Harnett on returning to acting in 'The Wrath of Man'

Josh Hartnett talks to Yahoo Entertainment about his return to the big screen in The Wrath of Man, and why he wanted to work with director Guy Ritchie.

Video transcript

- He's not a cop. Doesn't smell like a cop.

- If he's not a cop, what is he?

- He's a dark [AUDIO OUT] spirit.

KEVIN POLOWY: This marks one of your more high profile roles since you took an acting hiatus. What did you see in this project, in this role, that really excited you?

JOSH HARTNETT: I didn't really take any major hiatuses that were planned. I just had kids and started doing smaller films, films that didn't take me away from the kids very often. But this film, I did this for a very specific reason. And it was just Guy-- to be able to work with Guy. I mean, there was no character really in the script for me.

It was-- Guy called me the day that he was starting filming, I was in England. And he said, there's nothing in the script. But we'll make it up as we go. Do you trust me? And I said, that sounds perfect because I always like a challenge and I always like to do something that's unexpected and I always like to do something that's going to be terrifying to me. And what's more terrifying than not having a part and not being the lead? So what-- are they even going to use me? I don't know. But I love Guy. And it was an opportunity. I was like, let's see what happens.

GUY RITCHIE: Well, funny enough, Josh came in-- I think, came in on the first day because he lives in the UK. And he sort of drop by just to say hello. And we sort of-- I mean, there wasn't really a role for Josh in the movie. That role we made up because we were Josh Hartnett fans and we thought, we got to do something Josh Hartnett. So as the days went on, he said, listen, I'll do anything.

So we took him along. And he went, right, here we go. And then each day-- and he was so charismatic that each day, his parts would be great.

- Sorry, pal.

KEVIN POLOWY: I've got to say, I'm always intimidated just to interview Jason Statham. Here in this movie, you kind of rivals-- and you have to antagonize him. You definitely have to talk some trash to him. Was that intimidating to be in that position?

JOSH HARTNETT: I've never been intimidated by Jason. I don't get intimidated by other actors because I know they're actors and they're lovely people, most of them underneath. Jason's such a sweetheart, you know. And he really is-- he intimidates a lot of people on set. People just don't know what to say to him. But I didn't have that experience at all. I really enjoyed my time with him. We've done two films together now. And I think we've become pretty close. And I just really-- yeah, I really like the guy. And I admire his whole ethos, the way that he goes about things.

KEVIN POLOWY: You've talked about, at point, stepping away to focus on your family. Obviously, you're very selective with the roles you're taking. What are the most important elements you're looking for? And how would you generally sort of characterize your relationship with acting these days?

JOSH HARTNETT: With acting these days, I'm acting a lot right now. I have taken time off to start writing scripts. I've written quite a few. And I had a couple sold, but nothing actually got made. And that was frustrating. So I wanted to start a production company, which I did. And then I started to try to figure out how to make the films in the best way possible. And then I felt like maybe I should direct them.

But in order to direct, produce, write, and act in a film, you really got to-- you got to be on it for a long period of time. I mean, it's years and years of your life. And I am having a lot of fun making the films that I'm making right now. So I have to speak out, I have to put together a good two years of time to solidly pursue that if I ever am going to do that.

But right now, I'm getting a lot of good offers, working with cool people. I just did this four part series with Raoul Peck that's out on HBO right now. I did the guy's latest film just now. I've got this thing called "The Fear Index" I'm shooting right now for the people who do the [? crown. ?] It's a four part thing that's going to be on Sky and I think HBO again in the states.

It's just a really-- there's a lot of good stuff coming. So I can't turn down great roles. So my relationship is just like if there are interesting roles, they're going to be challenging and are going to get out there and people are actually going to see them, then I'm all for it.