Cloud Atlas hits cinema screens this Friday but James D'Arcy was in town last week for a very special gala screening at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. It just so happens that I've been a big fan of James' work since his days in Master and Commander with Russell Crowe, so imagine my luck when I found out we'd be heading along to chat all things Cloud Atlas with him?

For those who haven't read David Mitchell's award winning sci-fi/fantasy/drama novel, Cloud Atlas follows six interrelated and interwoven narratives, ranging from from the South Pacific in the 19th century to a distant, post-apocalyptic future. It's like a great big puzzle, with the pieces finally coming together at the very end. James D'Arcy plays two major characters: Rufus Sixsmith (yes, SIX-smith, damn my disobedient mouth... or was that a Freudian slip I wonder?) opposite his old pal and Skyfall star Ben Whishaw, and the Archivist opposite up and coming Korean actress Doona Bae (again, mouth not behaving itself).

Mr D'Arcy (how apt) was an absolute gent, talking freely about Cloud Atlas (he does sort of give a key plot point away so, approach with caution), working with the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer, his time on WE with the Princess of Pop herself, and his starring role in Hitchcock. Just to be clear, he didn't MAKE Anthony Hopkins fall off that chair, and he isn't quite sure that he's got what it takes to give Daniel Craig a run for his money. And most importantly, he definitely proved he was game for a laugh. Sure we're only human after all, right?

Catch Cloud Atlas in cinemas from February 22nd.