Firewall

Firewall marks Harrison Ford's return to the big screen after a nearly three-year absence-but make no mistake, Ford wants his fans to know that he's not slowing down. "In the past I have normally done one film a year, and I intend to continue to do it that way," Ford said in a conference call.

In Firewall, Ford plays a computer security expert who is ordered to hack into the system he designed by the requisite villain-holding-hero's-family-hostage, played by Paul Bettany.

As Ford ages, his marketability as an action hero has come under increasing scrutiny. Despite achieving great heights as the swashbuckling Indiana Jones and the evil-fighting Han Solo, Ford said his preference for roles has been misinterpreted.

"They've made a terrible mistake-I'm not an action hero. I've never actually done action films. I do thrillers that have action in them. I do films like Indiana Jones, which I think of as a kind of fantasy comedy," he said.

And indeed, Ford said he's happier mixing things up, as long as he's doing the mixing-which often means that he won't settle for a supporting role. "If you do play a supporting part you've got to understand that-rightly-you may not have as much influence over the script and the production as the person that's playing the starring part," he said. "What's important for me [is] to be responsible for what people come to see because it's offered under my name."

Whereas Ford is known primarily for action roles similar to his part in Firewall, the film represents a more radical departure for his co-star Paul Bettany. In playing the diabolical thief Bill Cox, Bettany struggled to build from his own experiences.

"I tried to look for what I had in common with the character," Bettany said. "What I had in common with the character was that what he wants is $100 million. I wouldn't mind $100 million."

Bettany emphasized the importance of creating a credible villain, something Firewall tries to do by highlighting today's concerns over personal security. Playing the role realistically, he said, is key to getting audiences to invest in the film, which means no sinister cat-stroking a la Dr. Evil.