Over the last few years, and spanning three films, Neil Blomkamp has established himself as a top science-fiction director. His latest film "Chappie" explores the potency of artificial intelligence in the form of the film's eponymous character. Among the players helping Chappie develop is Yankie, a maverick played by Jose Pablo Cantillo.

The Latin American actor is well-known for his diverse resume which features such films as Blomkamp's "Elysium," as well as "Crank," "The Manchurian Candidate," and "Disturbia," among others. Cantillo has also had the opportunity to star in such TV series as "The Walking Dead," "Sons of Anarchy" and "The Mentalist."

Cantillo recently spoke with Latin Post regarding his role in "Chappie" and how he feels working in film as opposed to television:

Latin Post: How did you first get involved in "Chappie?"

Jose Pablo Cantillo: I audition on tape for "Elysium." It was Neill Blomkamp's second film and I played the character of Sandro. There was actually very little in that scene for the audition and so I rifted a bit and improvised a bit. And Neill Blomkamp really likes to cast the authentic character or person. Originally, he wanted a Mexican gangbanger for Sandro, so he saw my tape and decided I was the one. So I went up to Vancouver and met Neill and the next thing I knew, I was performing brain surgery on Matt Damon's character. So we had so much fun creating the character that wasn't fully fleshed out in the script.

And Neill told me that he would like to work with me again, so one day about two years ago, I open up my iPad and I get a handwritten note that told me to put a code in and read a script on iBooks. It was a role written for me, something that has never happened in the 12 years that I have worked in this business. My heart kind of exploded.

And so I sat down and stared at this iPad, I am not kidding you, for about 10 minutes before I could finally open it. People in Hollywood make promises when you finish a project, but I learned that Neill Blomkamp is really loyal and he had something really cool for me to do.

LP: What was the difference between between working on "Elysium" and now working on "Chappie?"

JPC: With Sandro in Elysium, I didn't have a lot of time to establish who the character really was. Whereas in "Chappie," it was more of an ensemble piece and very character driven. We had a lot more time to delve into who this band of rebels really were or are.

The big difference I guess was that in Elysium I was there for three weeks to a month, whereas on "Chappie," I was in Johannesburg fully immersed in the character and what felt like the world of "Chappie." I was in the ghetto in Soweto, Johannesburg which is relatively impoverished and somewhat violent, but at the same time, they fully embrace the moment and the day, which is all they have. I really got to dive headfirst and create a character with Neill from Day One.

LP: He is obviously interested in Science Fiction. Did you learn anything about his perspective on the genre?

JPC: I don't know so much about his perspective. It never felt like a sci-fi film because we were never in studio, we were never in front of a green screen. Which in a way I guess you could say yes, [his science fiction] needs to be very grounded, relatable and very flawed. Which is very close to the real world.
We shot in this abandoned power station, which actually caved in two weeks after we had wrapped. It was like the size of the pentagon. That's how edgy and real and authentic we were. That's how he likes to keep his set. The atmosphere is definitely out of the ordinary.

I feel like with his perspective on the genre, you could put it in the near future, but it has to still be grounded with what an audience can relate to.

LP: Do you feel like it is easier to work with real locations as opposed to green screen?

JPC: 100 percent. Because my brain can take a break. My imagination, in the sense that I have to create a world on that wall, can take a break. My patterns really change when I do the green screen or when I'm in a studio. But when you are on location, the stimuli is really different. You really become a tourist to layer the new world. Your mind is already in search mode. Everything is different and you become an explorer. The lamp posts are different. Light switches are different. The way people speak is different.

It is very easy for my brain to accept it and explore it because I am new to it. It's like, no I am actually on vacation.

LP: What was the hardest scene to shoot on "Chappie?"

JPC: I don't want to spoil anything, but I would have to say the stunts. They were the most challenging but they were also the most fun. There was this scene where I was harnessed into this utility astrovan and the door are open. We have beer kegs and other things bouncing around the back of the van. And there are these two helicopters that are coming in. I am supposed to be shooting at them.

Talk about a departure from green screen. These helicopters were so low and the car was moving so fast that if I had not been harnessed in, I would have fallen out. But I am trying to reload my AK-47 and then I get shot at. And sometimes, I could not even move my around because of the torque.

It wasn't challenging from an acting standpoint, but being a competitive guy, I wanted to shoot that helicopter down. And then they squibbed my arm and I had to hide the little form of explosive that is on you. You are bouncing around like a ragdoll, but whatever you do, do not show or allow the squib to ever face the camera. So that was obviously really tricky. But again, I loved that kind of challenge.

LP: Did you guys have to do any training for that scene or any other scenes in the film?

JPC: My training is funny. I don't drive stick shift well. And in Johannesburg, you drive on the other side of the road and your stick shift is then with your left hand rather your right. So in that traffic, which is pretty hairy. It could definitely give LA traffic a run for its money with the way people drive there. Then you throw me in there with our getaway vehicle with everything on the wrong side of the car and the street. And of course everyone yelling at me. That was my training.

I spent several mornings driving around the city. It helped. What they didn't tell me was that they were going to mount 50 cameras to it and tell me not to hit anything.

LP: You have experience working in TV and film. Could you tell me which one you prefer and why?

JCP: I don't mean to give you a political answer, but I just love good writing. I just like doing the kind of character that you can't wait to wake up the next morning and just put on his shoes. Case in point, with "Chappie" I actually had my wardrobe with me in my hotel. And I would put it on. Not that it was method, but I just couldn't wait to be Yankie everyday. There was swagger about him. He's really sensitive and tough. He teaches Chappie how to be cool and fight back. And Charlto Copley has a level of imagination that is one of the best in Hollywood for sure. And he is addicted to the spontaneity of it all and we love to improv and play. I couldn't wait to get to work. I would get up at 3 AM, put on the boots, groom up my Cholo mustache and get to it.

The way they shoot TV now, it is like a 10-hour movie. Look at "House of Cards." I am really interested in doing TV and film when it is like that. So I am excited about where TV is going where you are creating characters and it is not just a plot-driven, episodic narrative. I think that that line between TV and film is starring to blur.