You’ve seen him in the blockbuster films, 2012 and The Dark Knight and now you can see Chin Han in the action-thriller, Contagion, opposite Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, and Marion Cotillard. But that’s not all. Han also stars in the new Gus Van Sant film, Restless, produced by Ron Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard. Han recently took some time to talk about it all in an interview with Hollywood the Write Way. Check it out:

Contagion is an incredible film! What was your favorite aspect of shooting?
The best part was getting to work with Steven Soderbergh. He is an amazing director, cinematographer, editor… you feel his hand prints all over the movie. He also takes suggestions from the actors, so that was also really great. And Marion Cotillard was such a joy to work with. She does so much with so little. We had to act behind the surgical masks and even then she was incredibly expressive. As an actor, I enjoyed working off of that. It was also great to be back in Hong Kong. I was there a few years ago to work on The Dark Knight so it was nice to head back and shoot another movie there.

What did you learn from the director, Steven Soderbergh while on set that you will always take with you to future sets?
All of the directors that I have worked with, have been the epitome of having grace under pressure. You hear a lot of horror stories coming out of Hollywood about that particular director and this other director but all of the directors I have worked with have been complete gentlemen. They are incredibly creative, have an amazing vision, and have the full support of the cast and crew and that is something that I would want if I were to become a director… which I may intend to do in the next few years.

That is interesting that you mention that because I was going to ask if you were interested in writing, producing, or directing in the future.
Yeah, that is all in the works right now. I am working on a screenplay right now actually and plan to start directing in the next few years.

So what would you say has been the most surprising fact that you have learned while in production for the film?
Well, I had a firsthand experience with a widespread mystery illness while living in Singapore in 2003. So a lot of the things that were brought to the screenplay and movie are very realistic. I can vouch for that because I experienced it firsthand. Though, you’re never quite prepared for the truth. When you think about the rate of transmission, especially with air travel and living in such close proximities in cities… how quickly something can spread, it is still somewhat shocking.

Yeah, it is. You are actually touching on my next question which is… what is it about these disaster type films that intrigues people so much?
(laughs) I don’t know. I think all of us have a sense that we can do better with our environment, the way we live, and the way we treat each other. I think what happens with these kinds of movies, whether it is 2012 or Contagion, we like to see and be reminded that we can do more. Also, it is very cathartic since we are fearful of the economy, terrorists, and resources running out. These disaster movies are almost therapeutic because you go in and see the whole world destroyed and you come out with a sigh of relief that that is not the reality.

Can you tell us about your role in the upcoming film, RESTLESS?
Restless is a very, very unusual love story about these two young lovers who have an obsession with death. It was so weird and lovely that I had to do it. I play the doctor that is treating the terminally ill protagonist played by Mia Wasikowska. There are very few adults in this movie. The adults are almost invisible in these young people’s lives. My character becomes a bit of a mentor to the young boy. So that was a nice change of pace for me, I really enjoyed working on this movie.

So the characters have an obsession with death but what are your obsessions outside of acting?
I love movies and theatre and I have an obsession with dance. I love to go to ballets and I love to watch modern dance no matter where I am. If I am in Chicago or London, I will seek out a ballet or something to watch. I personally do not dance but I finding it very moving. I am also very fascinated with architecture. I just got back from the Venice Film Festival, where Contagion premiered, and of course Venice is a smorgasbord of interesting architecture (laughs). I could spend the whole day just wondering the streets of Venice.

Contagion is in theaters now.