Actor Michael Fassbender first gained audience's attention with his performance as the Spartan soldier Stelios in Zach Snyder's 300 but it was his role in Quentin Tarantino's WWII epic Inglorious Basterds as British officer Lieutenant Archie Hicox that has put him on the road to stardom. In fact, Fassbender will be playing Burke, the villain in this summer's action-western film Jonah Hex based on DC Comics' outlaw western anti-hero, starring Megan Fox and Josh Brolin in the title role. For now audiences will have to be satisfied with the actor's new independent drama Fish Tank, opening in theaters on January 15th. We had a chance to speak with the talented actor about his provocative new film, working with his young co-star, shooting in Essex and the movies difficult subject matter. To watch our exclusive interview please click on the video clip below.

Fifteen-year-old Mia (Katie Jarvis) is in a constant state of war with her mother, her sister, her school and her neighbors, without any constructive creative outlet for her considerable energies except for a secret love of hip-hop dancing. When she meets her party-girl mother's charming new boyfriend Connor (Fassbender), she is amazed to find him returning her attention, and believes he can help her start to make sense of her life, though his seemingly tender demeanor may hide a much more treacherous interior. Starring Michael Fassbender, Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing, Rebecca Griffiths, Harry Treadaway, Sydney Mary Nash and Sarah Bayes. Directed by Andrea Arnold, Fish Tank opens in theaters on January 15th.