Whereas both Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen have to live up to the expectations set by Min-sik Choi and Hye-jeong Kang in Chan-wook Park’s Oldboy, Michael Imperioli has the luxury of portraying a character from the manga that’s yet to make it to the big screen. Brolin leads as Joe Doucett, a brash selfish drunk who’s suddenly plucked off the streets and thrown into solitary confinement for 20 years. Even though he comes out a changed man, the people in his life are left with the impression he made before his disappearance and nothing more. Fortunately for Joe, his life-long pal Chucky (Imperioli) is willing to give him a second chance.

In support of Oldboy’s November 27th release, Imperioli sat down with Collider in New York City to talk about his many collaborations with Spike Lee, what drew him to the role, whether or not Chucky really believed Joe was a guilty man, the details on the Martin Scorsese executive produced-film The Wannabe, and more. Watch the full interview after the jump.

Michael Imperioli:

• On his relationship with Spike Lee and what made Lee’s work on Oldboy stand out.
• The appeal of portraying a true friend.
• On whether or not Chucky ever thought Joe was really guilty of the crime.
• On playing a character who isn’t in the original film.
• An update on his next movie, The Wannabe.