Charles Melton has the "face of a poet and the quality of an animal", according to Nicolas Winding Refn.
The 35-year-old actor stars in Refn’s new thriller film, Her Private Hell, and the director has lavished praise on Charles, observing that he's able to tap into an unnatural anger.
Speaking to Bustle, Refn said: "To play a real action hero, you also have to have a lot of depth.
"Look at the great action heroes of our time. There was always a sense of purity and ability to connect emotionally. And Charles has both spectrums.
"I told him he has the same qualities that Marlon Brando was quoted as having, which was the face of a poet and the quality of an animal."
Likewise, Charles relished the experience of working with Refn, who previously helmed Bronson, Valhalla Rising and Drive.
The actor reflected: "This is my first superhero film! With Nic Winding Refn!"
Meanwhile, Charles previously admitted that he doesn't have a long-term career plan.
The actor explained that there are no certainties in the movie business, and he can't plan where he'll be in five years' time.
He told Cultured: "If you’re like, 'What role do you want to do next?' I can give you a b******* answer, but I just don’t know until I know.
"Something will hopefully present itself and then I’ll feel some sort of bubbling fragments of my shadows, of my soul, come up [where] I’m like, Okay ... It’s a discovery.
"To have relentless drive with constant curiosity is amazing, because your North Star is not this one job or this next job or this role. Your North Star is curiosity and discovery."
Charles actually sees some strong similarities between the movie business and the sports industry.
He explained: "The director’s the coach, and you have your offensive coordinator, your defensive coordinator, your position coaches, you have the general manager. The owner’s the studio. And when you think about sports, because I have a sports background, preparation is key.
"The off-season is key. You’re like, What am I doing when I’m not working? I’m enjoying my off-season. I’m enjoying my baby girl."
