Director Zack Snyder has earned the title of "visionary director" after only three films. Which, if you think about it, is quite an accomplishment all to itself. He first gained the attention of fans and critics alike for his remake of George A. Romero's classic horror film Dawn Of The Dead. The director then followed that up with two movies both adapted from comic books, the extremely successful "sword & sandal" movie 300 based on legendary comic book scribe Frank Miller's popular graphic novel. And Watchmen, based on equally legendary comic book writer Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest comic books of all-time.

His latest project is the 3D animated family film, Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, which opens in theaters on September 24th, and is based on the successful series of books by author Kathryn Lasky. The film boasts a talented cast of voice actors including Oscar winners Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Geoffrey Rush (Shine) as well as Hugo Weaving (The Matrix), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom), Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Jim Sturgess (21), Emilie de Ravin (Lost) and Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch).

We recently had a chance to sit down with director Zack Snyder, art director Grant Freckelton and production designer Simon Whiteley, as well as actors Jim Sturgess and Ryan Kwanten to discuss the new film, its incredible animation, owls and Zack Snyder's unique cinematic vision. To watch our exclusive interview click on the video player below.

Acclaimed filmmaker Zack Snyder makes his animation debut with the fantasy family adventure Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, based on the beloved books by Kathryn Lasky. The film follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, scoffs at the notion, and yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father's favor from his younger sibling. But Kludd's jealousy has terrible consequences, causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls. Together they soar across the sea and through the mist to find the Great Tree, home of the legendary Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Soren's only hope of defeating the Pure Ones and saving the owl kingdoms.