And where did the boxing fit in when you were studying acting?

Ray: I didn’t think it did, but it does. If you’re losing a fight and you get punched in front of 5000 people, that hurts. Getting booed on stage is nothing, believe me. I just think there’s an instinct, there’s something about a one-on-one, like when you’re in a scene one-on-one and you’re looking into someone’s eyes and you know what’s coming, and you can feel it and you can smell it. Timing and everything, and respect I guess as well.

And what kind of accent would you say you have?

Ray: I’m an East London boy.

You’re a likely lad!

Ray: I’m a cuntney chappie!

Are you good at accents?

Ray: I didn’t think so... I kind of start late with all that. I played the guy from up the mound from somewhere around Tennessee or wherever it was. Because I had a great teacher, Tim Monich, who’s the voice coach, he explains it so simply. And it’s just a matter of moving your tongue. And you find the sound, you always find the sound first, deeper or higher. I started to enjoy doing that, and I was playing with it a little bit. So yea, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do.

And when did you become a star?

Ray: Oh, years ago. [laughter]

Is there a movie where you can look back at your career and say—

Ray: Well the first film I ever done, Scum, was really famous in England.

No, it was famous here, too.

Ray: Was it? I think Sean Penn actually made an American version named Bad Boys, I think it was. And he’s another actor, I can watch him all day long, I think he’s fantastic.

So right out of the gate you became famous?

Ray: Yea, but then I never worked for years. The film industry [in London], we do it every now and then. We have an industry and everyone gets excited about it, then it collapses. It’s just what we’re all about, ya know? But I enjoy making films, I like the style of films we make at home. But its films we can make here as well.

So talk about working with Angelina. In some way I think her abilities are being overshadowed by her personal life.

Ray: Well she ain’t, really, I think everyone else writes about that, they take away from what a fantastic actor she is. The first time I became aware of her being a great actress is the film she done Gia. I mean, that is some... I couldn’t believe that, it was fantastic. And I was lucky enough to meet Angelina years ago in England, in Scotland actually, at a friend’s wedding. So I don’t know her well, I see her every now and then. She’s a really good actor, I’ve got to say that I suppose, but she is.

Was this the wedding in the castle?

Ray: No, I don’t get invited to those. I drink too much, I think. No, you know, just a mutual friend of ours.

Has she changed?

Ray: Well, I don’t know her enough. I wouldn’t say so. She smiles and she’s lovely and you feel like you could talk with her all day.

What is Death of a Ladies Man?

Ray: Oh that’s, Nick Cave wrote that. And I done a film called The Proposition with Nick. Yea, he wrote that. And some honest people can write one thing and it’s very difficult to recreate and be as good. And certainly he’s better. He’s one of those writers who’s going to get better. This is his script that John Hillcoat directed again, he done Proposition. He had a choice, he was going to do that and he said look, I’ve been asked to do this film I’d like to do in America, in Hollywood. Well you should do that. And make sure you do it good cause it’ll help us when we do our film. So we’re going to do that probably next year.

So what else can you tell us about Indiana Jones?

Ray: Now come! Do you know what I like about that? It keeps everyone wanting to know what it’s about. And to me, I got to tell you this, it starts at a gallop and it finishes at pace. I’ve never been in a film at a pace like that. It’s a ball.

Why do you think Beowulf is important to be seen in 3D?

Ray: I don’t think it is. I think it’s great to see it in 3D or on IMAX, but the thing about it without that you got story. And you still got a great story. So I don’t think it’s the most important thing, but for visual and to be there and to actually feel all that sort of stuff that’s going on, yea 3D, pick it every time. But what I love about this film is its got a story. And it’s a fabulous story as well. At the end you just want to see a bit more,  I want another half an hour of it. That’s how you should feel after a good film, I think.

How much did you have to exercise and diet to gain that body?

Ray: Actually, I was very lucky, it took me about 3 weeks.

It was funny because I invited a friend of mine to the screening yesterday, he’s gay, and he didn’t know it was you, I told him after the movie. But, when you see this guy getting naked, you’re like oh come on, it’s way too much! He’s like honey, he must have that kind of body but he’s enhanced, they enhanced him. He must be like strong and everything, but of course they enhanced him.

Ray: The thing is, it’s the movement. I’m not built like that, but the thing you got to thing about before you do that is the way you would move if you were built like that. You’ve got to actually move like a 6’6” warrior who’s got arms like this. So I work like that, I’m all over the place. So it’s the way you move.

How did you do the swimming stuff?

Ray: It was what Angelina said, you’re on the floor, you’re on this thing and you swim and you’re kicking your legs. We also had wires, because there was a tunnel bit which we didn’t use in the film funny enough. But there’s a tunnel made out of wire with a hole at the top and they take you through on wires, so you’re up in the air because they’re filming from below you. And you’re swimming, but on wires, and you’ve got to maneuver your way through this cave, this wire cave. But no, you’re just swimming in air. It’s a laugh, you think that’s ridiculous, but you got to get over that.

How tough a time do you think your family and friends will give you when they see what you look like in the film?

Ray: That’s quite an interesting question, I think they’ll have a little chuckle. As my wife said, when she saw my picture, she showed me a picture of me when I was 18, 19. I ain’t 6’6” and I haven’t got the 8-pack, but I was boxing at the time and it is. I was blonde and I was a fit kid. I was a bit fiery.

How many victories did you have as a boxer?

Ray: 88

How many of those were knock outs?

Ray: I lost 8 out of the 88.

Wow! And do you think you could take Liam Neeson?

Ray: He’s a big boy, Liam. He’s a big boy!

Different weight class?

Ray: Yea, yea, I’d have to give him a little bit. I think he’s a big love, he’s more of a heavyweight. I’m an actor now, not a fighter.

So are you moving to Los Angeles now?

Ray: No, no, I live in England! I live in Essex. That’s where my family owned all that. I like coming here, but it’s not my home.