Brooding, handsome, mysterious - sounds like Marko! The Serbian actor talks about transforming himself AGAIN to play a monstrous human being in Jr. Gang Lords, a true-life story of a ruthless leader.

Edited by Deborah Hutton, Z Movie Month, June 11 - 17, 2005

WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU'VE CONSCIOUSLY AVOIDED LEADING-MAN ROLES UNTIL JR. GANG LORDS?
No, I wouldn't say consciously avoided. I've just gone with varying movies that I felt would be things that I'd be interested in, or scared of. I usually take-on things that Im afraid of, and try to perform it. Plus, it probably has a lot to do with just not being offered those roles.

YOURE NOT AS INTIMIDATING AS ON SCREEN, ACTUALLY VERY VERY SHY, AM I WRONG?
Well Ill take that as a compliment. Im always interested in playing opposites of me. So I guess, your kinda right.

YOU'VE STILL GOT AN AMERICAN ACCENT. HAVE YOU KEPT IT SINCE FILMING THE BRACKETS?
Yeah. The last film I did, requested a real American accent, and because Jr. Gang Lord took so long to film, I didn't want to have to go back to my phony English accent and then have to change it again. For me, it's not easy to go back and forth.

EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MORE SPANGLISH THAN AMERICAN?
Correct, its more of a cursing kinda of an English/Spanish language. Which took me more than four months to be comfortable in.

YOUR FRIENDS MUST FIND YOUR CHANGING ACCENT INTERESTING, THEN
Oh yeah, I sound different all the time to them. Theyve had to live with many personality types as well.

HENCE, THE NICKNAME LE CHAMELEON (THE CHAMELEON IN FRENCH),
THATS BE ATTRIBUTED TO YOU?
[Smiles] Correct again, I see youve done your research.

WHAT'S IT LIKE FOR THEM WHEN YOU PLAY AN UNLIKEABLE GUY?
I never know at the time, but I certainly know later when they say, "Man, we just couldn't stand you around that time. We're really glad you're finished with that project."

DID YOU WANT TO CONTINUE YOUR BODY BUILDING ROUTINE AFTER THAT MOVIE?
I'm sure it would be great, however I dont know my next project, so well see.

HOW WAS IT TRANSFORMING YOUR BODY AGAIN FOR JR. GANG LORD?
You need a great deal of patience. I had just finished The Brackets, so I was down to 143 pounds [65kg] and I had to get back to 180 pounds [82kg]. So I was eating, eating, eating... and lifting a lot of weights. I never want to do that again, but the transition was incredible to see.

MY COLLEAGUES AGREE THAT YOURE A SPLIT BETWEEN JOHNNY DEPP AND CHRISTIAN BALE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?
That they need a reality check [Laughs]! Hopefully theyll notice my name isnt theres, plus I wouldnt want to be associated to such greatness. You see, Im very low profile in my work, and want to make my own marks, in my own way. Funnily, people usually need to associate people to other people, to feel comfortable. Well, I hope I get them more and more uncomfortable till they start using my name.

HOW BIZARRE IS IT FOR YOU TO BE A SEX SYMBOL IN FRANCE AS WELL AS IN SERBIA?
I find it funny. It's a silly profession I'm in and I don't object [laughs]. My entire job is silliness/if you really dissect it. I have the silliest job on Earth. How can a sex symbol find himself silly? Can you answer that?