Manny The Movie Guy /

I had a great time meeting Jamie Bell, perhaps best remembered for his iconic role as "Billy Elliott. " His dancing background helped him in making his upcoming film "The Eagle" where he plays Esca, a Briton slave who can fight in a feral, uncultivated way.

In this interview, we talked about:

• Is there a cultural connection between he and his character Esca?
• What attracted him into making "The Eagle? "
• The "clash of cultures" element of director Kevin Macdonald's films
• How he prepared for the part
• How he and Channing bonded
• What's the biggest challenge in making "The Eagle? "

Click here for my movie review of "The Eagle"

In 2nd-Century Britain, two men - master and slave - venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism.

• Genres: Action/Adventure, Art/Foreign, Drama and Adaptation
• Running Time: 1 hr. 54 min.
• Release Date: February 11th, 2011 (wide)
• MPAA Rating: PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images.
• Distributors: Focus Features

• Cast and Credits
• Starring: Jamie Bell, Channing Tatum, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim, Donald Sutherland
• Directed by: Kevin MacDonald
• Produced by: Tessa Ross, Miles Ketley, Charles Moore