I am actor Clive Owen. My latest film is Blood Ties. Ask me Anything.

Mr Owen, one of my favourite roles of yours is Theo in Children of Men. I was just wondering how many attempts, on average, the famous long takes took, particularly the famous battle scene. Thanks, Jake

Woah, this blew up. Thanks for the reply Clive, hope the new film goes well.

We spent an awful long time rehearsing them and preparing them and because they were single takes -- that one you particularly talk about, it was a half day reset because we were blowing out walls and tanks and exploding things. It's very specific what we were doing - it's was like a very specific dance or choreography. I think Alfonso Cuaron is one of the most special directors out there.

Shoot’ Em Up has to be one of the most ridiculous yet brilliantly fun action movies in recent years (I’ve described it to friends as a live-action cartoon with the insane gun battles and silly carrot gags).

So a query for ya: Was it as fun to make as it was to watch?

Also, Monica Bellucci… oh you lucky man.

Yes, I am a lucky man. It was great fun to do and what I love about that film is how funny it was. I always say it as an out and out comedy and I think Michael Davis did a great job on it -- it is crazy and silly, but it was great fun.

I shared an elevator with you once and I was too nervous to say, 'I love your work.' So, here's my second chance. Clive, I love your work.

If only I knew which elevator.

Hey Clive Owen! I loved your performance in King Arthur and Sin City, I woke up at 2:30 am here in Australia just for this AMA,I have a few questions and I hope you can answer them

• Do you have any memories on or off screen from working on King Arthur?

• What was it like working with the cast and crew of Sin City?

• Can you tell us about your upcoming film The Last Knights?

Thank you for taking time out of your day to give us this opportunity, on behalf of this AMA I'd like to commend you on your work and wish you luck on your current and future projects

Big memory was the amount of horse riding we had to do and one the first day, I think every actor rode a horse longer than they ever had in their lives before.

I had a great time on Sin City. Robert Rodriguez is a genius. When we shot that movie, it was all green screen with no set - and when I saw it, I couldn't believe what he had achieved.

The Last Knights is with Morgan Freeman. It originally was a kind of samurai tale that we created our own world around. it's about a bunch of knights avenging the death of their master. it has lots of great swordplay.

Would you ever consider making Karl Pilkington's film 'A Love of Two Brains'?

Edit: name

I would if I knew what it was. And maybe.

You were awesome in BMW Films! Can we expect you to return for the new iterations?

I don't know anything about the new ones, but I had an amazing time doing the originals. I did 8 short films with really amazing directors and just had the best time.

Are you still terrified of badgers?

this question has come up a few times in the last few years and i have a feeling it's planted by someone I know on my wikipedia page or somewhere. but i have no problems with badgers.

How do you rate Liverpool's chances in the English Premier League? How has football influenced your life?

it's the best football we've played in years. it's very exciting for liverpool this year and the thing is even when we lose, we're still playing great football. we have to be in the shot of winning the title.

Mr Owen, Inside Man is one of my all time favorite movies, and i am a huge fan of just about all your movies, but i am terrible at coming up with questions, so, what's your favorite thing to eat for dinner?

I love a great steak and I'm also a big fan of sushi.

Can I buy you a drink next time you're in New York?

Sure. You can buy me more than one.

Sure. You can buy me more than one.

Clive - you were absolutely phenomenal in Children of Men. My favorite film however is Closer. What was the relationship like between the four of you? I thought the chemistry between everyone was really great.

I had an amazing time on Closer because I was in the original production of the play and had the opportunity to play the other part in the movie. Mike Nichols one of the greatest actor/directors out there and that film is very special to me.

Will you go see Sin City: A dame to kill?

Yes, of course. I think Robert Rodriguez did an amazing job on the first one and I can't wait to see this one.

What is the most challenging thing about being an actor, Clive?

Probably the traveling, especially if you've got a family.

Hello Clive, First off I think you are a great actor, I loved you in Children of Men. 1) Whats your favorite david bowie song? 2) whats your favorite/least favorite thing about America?

Currently the Stars are Out Tonight off the new album but I've been a fan of his for so long that there are hundreds of favourite Bowie songs, but at the moment it's that one.

My favourite thing about America is probably New York. I've shot there many times and always had a great time there and think it's one of the great cities of the world. The fact that it's so far from London is my least favourite.

If you could act in a film or TV show with either Nicolas Cage or Shaq, who would it be and why?

I'd want to do it with both of them at the same time. I don't like choosing one over the other.

Hey Clive, I love you as an actor but I was wondering if you ever considered directing?

I do think about it, but I've never really found a piece of material I am passionate about enough to stop acting and actually direct, but it is something I do think about.

How was your experience working on Extras with Ricky Gervais? Did you enjoy playing such a horrible version of yourself?

Ricky called me up and pitched me that scene on the phone and I laughed so hard I told him I would definitely be in. He is definitely one of the funniest guys around.

What was the worst or best day job you ever had?

I cleaned people's flats for a while when I was unemployed and very young.

What Is Your All Time Favorite Film ?

It changes year to year, but I'd have to say a recent film I was a huge fan of is Gravity - I think Alfonso Cuaron is one of the most talented people out there.

How fun was it to shove Benicio Del Toro's face into a toilet?

Also you're rad!

It was a lot of fun. Benicio is a great guy.

Welcome to Reddit!

How was your experience with acting in the game Privateer 2: The Darkening?

It was one of the first ever video games to do that I remember - they pulled together a pretty great cast and it was a very new thing at the time. I have very fond memories of shooting it.

Hey Clive, I want to start off by thanking you for doing this. I've always been a big supporter of your work and appreciate your many talents. My question: Which role/character that you have portrayed has been your favorite?

That's always a very difficult question to answer because I've done lots of films that I've really loved doing and am very proud of. But a few I'd like to pull out: Closer because I was in the original production of the play, so I was always very close to that writing, but I had an amazing time with Spike Lee on Inside Man and with Alfonso Cuaron and Children of Man. But my favourite one is the one I'm doing next.

Favorite rock and roll band Clive?

at the moment, I'm really into this band called The Nationals. I've seen them a couple times and for me they are one of the best bands out there.

Is there any type of movie you've always wanted to do but haven't gotten the chance to?

Not really, no.

Hey Clive! Just wanna say that I love your movies and thought you were hilarious on extras. My question is, was there ever any talk about a sequel to shoot 'em up? It's one of my favorite movies and would love to see where Smith and Oliver are now.

I don't think there are any plans for a sequel, but I think it's a very funny film. Michael Davis who directed it did a very great job.

At what point did you realize in your acting career that you were no longer just successful but a real celebrity? Thank for the AMA! Love your work!

I still consider myself an actor. Obviously every film you do, you have to sell and you are in the public eye, but for me it's the joy of the work of acting that is the reason I do it.

Which scene in Closer was your personal favorite?

I had a great time working with Julia Roberts, so all the scenes with her. The writing is so good in that piece. It's a script that every scene is brilliantly written and a joy to play and that doesn't happen often.

Fistfight between you and Jason Statham; who wins?

Definitely him.

Mr. Owen, Do you feel like the tide has turned and the better scripts are being written for television and the internet compared to movies?

I think it's a hugely exciting time in the world of television. the project i just shot was really brilliantly written and it gives writers the opportunity to explore characters' story lines over a longer period of time. it also proves tv work can be more daring than the world of movies in terms of writing things that would be hard to get off the ground as a movie.

What's your favorite scene from blood ties?

I love the way that the film builds up to the end, so I would have to say leading up to the big end finale is one of my favorite scenes.

I loved "Inside Man". What was it like working with Jodie Foster and Denzel Washington? Any good stories?

I had a great time on Inside Man. I've always been a big fan of Spike Lee and to get to shoot that film with him and the cast was a real treat.

What's your favourite thing to do when not working?

Hang with the family.

Do you read much? If so what's your favorite book?

I read a lot of scripts and often if I'm reading it's often to do with research for a part. Having just finished shooting The Knick TV series with Soderbergh about the world of medicine in the 1900s, I've been reading books related to that.

Hi there Clive! I thoroughly enjoyed your performance in Gosford Park. I thought you really had gravitas even amongst a cast of heavyweight actors.

What was it like working with Julian Fellowes?

I had a great time on this film. Robert Altman is one of the greatest directors and to see him keep so many story lines in the air so effortlessly was a real joy. I think Altman was a master.

Do you have a favorite type of sandwich?

No, I don't.

Do you plan on being in another movie like Shoot 'Em Up? It was a lot of fun watching you in a movie like that. Really enjoyable.

Also, you're one of the reasons Children of Men has remained in my top 10.

I would do another film like Shoot 'Em Up, but I doubt anyone will ever come up with such a crazy idea.

Hi Clive, thanks for doing this Q&A, my question is, for you, what is the best part of being an actor ?

The best part is getting the opportunity to work with really talented people - everyone from directors, actors, great props people - the whole crew. i really love working with people who are really good at what they do.

What was the biggest struggle to getting your acting career started and how did you overcome it? Getting an agent/manager? Not giving in to failure? Staying on track? Getting into SAG? Thanks!

The biggest break I got was getting into the Royal Academy. I was unemployed in my hometown for a couple years and applied and got a place - that seems to be the most important break I got.

Are you disappointed that there won't be sequels to Children of Men and Inside Man? Also, favorite actor and/or actress that you've had the pleasure to work with?

for Inside Man, there was talk at some point and that would have been great, because I thought the original was such a good film. but I don't think Children of Men will have a sequel - that would be very hard to do a sequel.

Are you a fan of science fiction at all? If so, what are your favorite films or novels in the genre?

I am a fan of science fiction - I loved Gravity, not sure it's scifi, but i am a big fan. I also love Phil Kaufman's Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

I just wanted to tell you how much I loved Children of Men and what I great job you did in that movie. Was it an easy sell for you to join the cast? What was it like working with Michael Caine and Julianne Moore?

It was such a great film to work on. Alfonso had such a beautiful vision for that film and it was a pleasure helping him achieve it. Julianne Moore and Michael Caine are two of the best around.

Hi Clive,

What's the one role you regret not being able to take?

I don't really have many regrets. Every choice I make is because I really want to do that particular project and work with that particular director -- I feel very lucky, so I have no real regrets.

What was the most challenging role you've done?

Also, big fan of your work! Thanks for doing this!

one of the most challenging roles was playing Hemingway - to play such an iconic American writer was both challenging and quite daunting.

Any idea when The Knick is going to air?

I've heard August.

Did you see Guillaume Canet's 'Tell No One' before agreeing to do the film? What was it like working with him?

I did see Tell No One and thought it was a great movie. I also loved his film Little White Lies. Guillaume is not only really talent, but a really great guy.

Funniest story from the set of blood ties?

The whole film was great fun to shoot. I can't remember a specific funny story, but Guillaume was such a great guy to be around and just made every day fun.

Hey Clive, who is your acting inspiration ? Who would you view as a role model ?

I love many actors, but two of my all time favorites are Humphrey Bogart and Alain Delon.

Big fan of your work Mr. Owen. My question for you is if you could have played any movie role in history, which would it be and why?

Thank you for doing this AMA! We were actually discussing Children of Men in the office this morning without prior knowledge this was happening. Cheers!

If I've ever seen a really great movie, I would never want to play that part because the actor playing it has done it brilliantly - so I'm always very happy for the actor to play that part.