By Remy Crane in Los Angeles

During the course of one night in Los Angeles, a simple cab driver and a serial killer are thrust into each other’s vastly different worlds when Vincent, a trained hitman played by Tom Cruise, holds Max, played by Jamie Foxx, hostage in his own cab. Through a roller coaster ride that weaves in and out of Los Angeles streets after dark, the human qualities of these characters emerge and their lives alter drastically. Cruise is the cold-blooded guy who is resolutely evil. Fox is the dispassionate cab driver who has seen a lot but this ride takes him to a new level.

The film’s actual premise is uncomplicated, but the tense, smart, terrifying and funny, yes funny, film keeps the audience entertained with the numerous action scenes and crisp fast-paced intensity. "Collateral" was shot using digital film allowing for a noticeable intensity in each scene. The actors were given 55-minute takes, allowing extreme focus and continuity when filming. “'Collateral' is as extreme as it can be because it takes place in this one night where--whatever the characters’ expectations and dreams-- little do they know everything is about to change. They will never be the same people,” stated writer/director Michael Mann.

The powerful and talented cast is what will help make this film a success. In addition to Cruise and Foxx, the ensemble includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg and Bruce McGill. Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx sat down recently and talked briefly about the release of their new film and gave some insights.

Q: Tom, you look much younger in person than you do in the film. What did you think of yourself with gray hair? Do you ever see yourself going back to that look?

TOM: No. Although, when it happens, I will go all the way. That look was perfect for Vincent.

Q: Did you like playing a killer? This is such a dark role for you?

TOM: It was different. I always look for a challenge. It definitely had every element of promise of being challenging. Also, I wanted to work with director/producer Michael Mann. Michael’s vision is amazing and then you look at how he incorporated LA. It has real poetry.

Q: Do you think this is how Vincent really looks or is this a disguise?

TOM: If someone were to ask for a description of a nondescript middle-aged man, he might say, ‘some guy, medium height, in a gray suit.’ It describes anybody and nobody. Being anonymous, denying specificity is what we strived for. It’s interesting. You look at this character and realize he is no one special, just some antisocial person who’s killing people to make a living. I always do a lot of research for characters and the back story has to enlighten every scene. Dressing the way I did and then playing the character a certain way was about uncovering who Vincent really is and then finding that point where things start to go wrong for him. Through conversation, the audience learns such basics as where Vincent lives and how Vincent became who he is. That is what will emotionally inform the movie. It’s fascinating. Really, Vincent is a master of control. By invading Max’s space, he takes over. He is really driving that cab from the back seat. He’s in control of both their lives and their destinies.

Q: Tom and Jamie, what was your experience like working on this type of film and the kinds of characters you play?

TOM: I love what I do. Vincent is a character that I have not played before. I like to take on characters that are a challenge. And then it goes beyond just the character. I really like acting because it is a team sport–a kind of communication that is created together. When you are working with people like Jamie and Jada who are so professional and talented, it’s fun.

JAMIE: My experience for this role boils down to the fact that I had about a billion dollars worth of man in the back seat of my cab...and I better be careful The way that I saw Max is that he is more or less exhausted with life. He is not the type of guy who wants anything bad or good to happen in a day. He just wants the day to end so he can get home and do what he wants to do. Obviously life does not go as planned.

Q: Isn’t it true that you filmed in an actual cab versus a sound stage? Can the actors talk a bit about the experience of filming in a cab which is one of the world’s smallest movie sets?

JAMIE: The interesting and challenging thing about filming in a cab was that we did a great deal of our acting and interacting without looking into the eyes of my fellow actors. Rather, many of my lines were delivered when I was looking ahead and they were responding by talking to the back of my head.

Q: Considering that this movie takes place mostly in a taxicab, I was wondering if either of you have any crazy taxicab experiences of your own?

JAMIE: Yes. One in Taiwan! They have no rules. It was cheaper. I was young, in college. We were in the cab, on two wheels, a million of us piled in. It was fun.

TOM: My most crazy experience would probably be one time in New York. I was dropping this girl off, and my driver decided that he wanted to race another cabby at 4:00 in the morning. Initially, I asked him to just get me where I needed to go quickly, and then he just took off, zipping though red lights playing a game of chicken with this other cab driver.

Q: This is a psychologically serious film. Was there anything funny that happened while on the set?

TOM: There is nothing funny that ever happened (sarcastically), especially with Jamie Foxx around.

Q: I assume that you and Foxx got along well. Tom, how difficult was it to establish your chemistry with Jamie while you were working together?

TOM: When Jamie and I met, the chemistry just happened... it was just there. But despite our initial chemistry, you have a team behind you. The director is always looking at where he is going to put the lens or how the lighting is going to be to create the kind of tension or motion required in a scene. It’s such a great thrill. It’s a great buzz and that is what we are reaching for in this film-it’s all about storytelling. It’s a really incredible experience for me each time I make a film.

Q: It always comes up that you, Jamie, are a comedian, yet in this movie you are creating a new image for yourself as a dramatic actor. Do you feel like you are setting a new standard for comedians who are making the transition into more serious roles?

TOM: Let me interject, and say that talent is talent You talk about Foxx and yes, he is a stand-up comedian, but before that he was a classically trained musician. He is a singer and song writer. You should hear his music. And his insight into people is amazing. In the role as the taxi driver, Foxx is really carrying the movie. The humanity that Foxx displays in his role is very difficult to portray. But again, talent is talent. And Michael Mann was smart enough to put the three of us–Foxx, Jada and me--together in a movie. That opening scene with Jada and Jamie, two total strangers who think that they will never see each other again, is one of my favorite scenes in the movie. It’s such a difficult thing to accomplish that kind of intensity right off the bat.

Q: Jamie, do you think that you are setting new standards for black actors in Hollywood?

JAMIE: I just want to see work for young black actors. In the 70s it was Richard Pryor, in the 80s it was Eddie Murphy, in the 90s things started to open up--look at Will [Smith] and Denzel [Washington], Chris Tucker. You got to have someone as a role model to make you believe that you can make it happen. I got into this business from the music side, actually. I thought I was going to be the next Lionel Richie. I had the curl and the shoulder pads and the suit. So what happened? I arrived here and started going to The Comedy Store. I liked what I saw. So I went up on stage and acted like a comedian. I held a microphone like Eddie Murphy would. I did it so well that I got a role in In Living Color that led to other roles.

Q: Jamie, I know that you are a musician and Jada is in a band. Did you two ever make music together on the set?

JAMIE: We can! With the supervision of her husband. (Laugh)

Q: Tom, back to you. The media is always fascinated with what is going on in your personal life. Can you bring us up to date? Are you traveling? Taking any time off?

TOM: No! Actually, I am very busy, hanging out with my kids, releasing Collateral, just working on things. I have not had a break yet, but I will. I have not gone on vacation recently, but life is very good. I am having a good time.

Q: "Collateral" has not even come out yet and already are people whispering about maybe Oscar nominations for you in the role of Ray Charles in the upcoming movie "Ray." How does that affect your life?

JAMIE: A lot of people say don’t “jinks it”. They say, “Don’t say Oscar.” But I say, hey, say it! Here’s why. If you are playing basketball, you want to go to the championship. In our business, the Oscars are considered the championship. To look at the Oscar as the only reason to do your career-- no way! I think I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. When you get LA buzzing and other people are acknowledging your work, that is when it feels good. But let me say that at the end of the day, it is not about how much money. It’s really about the moments and the marks and the legacy that you leave.

"Collateral" opens in theaters Aug. 6th.