With the theatrical release of the Ian McKellan-starring Mr. Holmes this week, we had the chance to sit down with co-star Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays a small but pivotal role in the mystery-drama about the last years of detective Sherlock Holmes’ life.

Sanada is an award-winning actor from Japan, but is best known to American audiences as playing supporting roles in “Lost” and movies such as The Wolverine and The Last Samurai. We asked him ten questions about the movie, his career, and the kind of role he wants to play but hasn’t had the opportunity to. Yet.

You’re pretty separated from the rest cast in the movie. Did you get to interact with the other cast members?

All of my scenes are with Ian McKellan, so I’m very lucky in that regard. I was so excited. Director Bill Condon gave me lots of advice, too.

Any specific examples?

There was a lot. The biggest one for me, I was so nervous about British accents—I had a coach on set of course—Bill told me I should enjoy the accent, just like my character Mr. Umezaki, who enjoys everything British culture, so “You should enjoy it like your character.” Sometimes I’d be like, “Was that too much?” and he’d say, “No, do more!”

What was it like working with Ian McKellan?

It was a great experience. The first time I met him in his trailer, he told me we were in the same movie before. The Wolverine. Totally different scenes, but he said, “Relax, it’s not the first time.” He gave me a lot of advice, and is a very kind person. But once he put on the old makeup, becoming the 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes, he was always in character. That helped me a lot, too, because if he was always Ian McKellan, I’d be oh-my-gosh. But as Mr. Holmes, I could always see Mr. Holmes, so I could calm down and stay in character.

How did you get involved with Mr. Holmes?

I got the offer and the script. I was interested in the whole story and role, but I read the novel first and then agreed to do this role as long as Bill would follow my suggestion about Japanese culture. I called him from LA and we talked about my role and Japanese culture. He totally understood my concerns and respected our culture. That’s when I decided to take this role. I said “See you in London.” Just one phone call.

You’ve primarily been doing American films for the last ten years after an illustrious career in Japan. Do you have a desire to do more Japanese films?

When I moved to Los Angeles, I wanted to continue filming in Japan, to do both. And I read the scripts from Japan all the time, and I just chose the best one each time. So it wasn’t my intention to not take Japanese roles, but somehow I chose American ones.

After a very successful career in Japan, what kind of adjustments did you have to make moving into English roles?

English is a big wall for me, but a human being is the same, I believe. I have never done the role of American-Japanese… all of my characters are Japanese born. I have to continue learning English more and more, because in the future and if my English develops, someday I wish to play a Japanese-American or American role. But I’m not ready yet.

What were your favorite movies growing up?

Oh… wow! I started acting when I was five years old. Before that I had never watched a movie in the theater. The first movie was my movie. I had to quit being a child actor when I was ten, and then I started watching movies. At that time I watched a lot of American and European movies… musicals and westerns. At that time I started to learn a lot of skills.

Romeo & Juliet stands out. The Sundance Kid… oh my gosh, westerns! John Wayne. Fred Astaire singing.

So that was a great experience for me as an actor. How can I get back to the screen, I wondered? I started dancing, singing… those were my teenage years. When I was 17, I got a young ninja role in a Samurai movie, so after that I just continued training and acting.

Is there any genre that you haven’t been in that you would want to try?

I’ve done a lot in Japan, but in the U.S. I haven’t done comedy yet. I’ve been in an action-comedy (Rush Hour 3), but I was just evil in that movie. I’d want to do a comedy role. They always want me as a serious character.

What movie are you looking forward to?

Aside from Mr. Holmes? I think my brain is fried, I can’t think of any others.

Any directors you want to work with?

I’ve worked with Spielberg when he was a producer, but I want to work with him as a director. He’s one of my heroes.