WonderCon Interview: Cam Gigandet on PRIEST, TRESPASS & His Hopes of Playing a Superhero

The former Young & the Restless and Never Back Down star spoke out about his role in the upcoming comic adaptation with Paul Bettany, his next project with Nic Cage & why he wants to play a superhero.

Set 100 years from now after the war between Christians and Satanists, the film is about a Christian warrior priest (Paul Bettany) who disobeys church law by teaming with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a priestess (Maggie Q) to track down a cult of vampire outlaws that is led by a former Christian and now a Satanic priest, Black Hat, who kidnapped his niece before they brainwash her. Dubbed a superhero/horror/western, the film is loosely based on the comic book series of the same name. The film is being distributed by Screen Gems (Resident Evil franchise) and is scheduled for 3D release May 13th, 2011.

What's more bad ass, being a vampire or being a vampire killer?

"Put your hands together... a vampire/vampire killer [laughs]. You know, they both have so many different things about them and so many different qualities that and traits that I just love. But at the end of the day what comes easier to me is playing a more villainous type role."

Is it different being a good guy this time around?

"It's definitely a challenge, to be honest it really is. They abide by a different set of rules, and in particular Sheriff Hicks [from Priest] he's not as confident and he's insecure and has a long way to go getting experience behind him being a sheriff and being a man."

How was it filming the action sequences for Priest?

"Well I got my ass kicked a lot, so it was easy [laughs]. You know, Paul and Maggie they had the real skill so they had much more of a physical and grueling schedule. I think the hardest thing for me was holding my 10-pound gun up in the air for a scene. And when you think about it it's one of the hardest things because I'd start like this [mimics holding a rifle up at eye level] and it ends up pointing at their feet by the end of the scene. "

Did you do your own stunts in the film?

"I think the only stunt I didn't do was.. jumping onto the train [from a scene shown in the sizzle reel]. I did a tiny bit of that, but they wouldn't allow me [to do more]. Which is kind of a bummer, because that's one of the reasons I got into the business."

You spark a lot of interest with the comic book crowd, particularly because of your martial arts training. Your name has popped up repeatedly as a choice from fans to play characters like Iron Fist for Marvel or The Flash for DC. Any thoughts on this?

"Oh yeah, I'm a f*cking ninja [laughs] bring it on! Keep supporting it! You know in [Priest] he's not really a hero per say, so that's one thing I haven't been able to do yet. To play a superhero, that would be awesome."

Are you a big comic book person?

"Not until I was hired for Priest, and then I just fell in love [with it]. You have the script right there and then you have something to look at .. having it visually there for you is great. I've always been a fan of more sci-fi/fantasy novels, especially growing up."

Can you explain about your role in Trespass with Nic Cage and Nicole Kidman?

"I haven't learned how to describe this movie yet.. but you have Nic Cage and Nicole Kidman and they have a daughter. They live in this nice house and they have money, so me and my brother and a couple of other people end up robbing their house and taking them hostage. Then everything gets thrown upside down.. it ends up a mess. And I'm in love with Nicole Kidman's character.. it's just twisted and dark. It's [gonna be] classic Joel Schumacher awesomeness."