Curtiss Cook is a man on the move. He's been riding the Hollywood loco for a couple of years now - putting in appearances in the likes of ‘'Law and Order'', ‘'The Sopranos'', ‘'The Good Wife'' and blockbuster ‘'The Interpreter'' (working with ‘our very own' Nicole Kidman) - but with a stopover at Martin Scorsese's ‘'Shutter Island'', it's safe to say things have just sped up. CLINT MORRIS talks to the rising young actor about working on the highly-anticipated new film from Martin Scorsese.

Man, what's it like auditioning for Martin Scorsese? I mean, is he there, sitting in his chair, smoking on a cigar -stone faced? Heck, is he there at all?

What do you mean audition? Do you know who I think I am...I am a soon to be big shot

in the city of Hollywood...I would never be asked to audition for anyone [Laughs]. Okay I got that out...and if I had it like that...I still wouldn't act that way...or would I...hmmmm?

Now to answering your question...the first go around was just with casting, being put on tape in their office, not even thinking it would ever go any further than that...for such a large project. Then literally months later I get a call saying that Marty - he's my friend you know -  wanted to meet with me about the role...and he couldn't have been any more gracious...put me at ease immediately and we talked for a good while...I was on Cloud 9 truly...I'll never forget it.

And how does a soon-to-be Hollywood big shot prep for a meeting with Scorsese?

I tried as hard as I could not to think about it, because I would get a little sick to my stomach from nerves. Come on man, he's a Living Legend really...you know!? And here I was a young black man from Dayton, Ohio who dreamed of acting anywhere sometimes, going to sit and talk with him about a role he may want me to do in one of his movies.

So did you shake and shiver through the whole meeting?

I tried my damndest to have a regular day before I went to meet with him. I really just wanted to be me...you know, not "on" just the real Curtiss...don't know if I accomplished that, but that was my goal.

Well you got the gig, mustn't have been too ‘on'. Tell me about the first time you met Leonardo DiCaprio - was he everything you thought he'd be?

My first day on set, my first scene was with  - get this -  DiCaprio, Sir Ben Kingsley and Mark Ruffalo. Leo was a real Catt and what I mean by that is, it always amazes me with people of that "stardom" how unimpressed with themselves they seem. So in talking to him he comes off as a young man of his age...you know, and then you hear action and what he's able to conjure...I'm saying this for real, was f***in amazing...I learned a lot from him...a lot.

Had you read the book ‘Shutter Island'?

Of course once I learned I had gotten the part I couldn't wait to get my hands on Dennis Lehane's book by the same name...especially since I hadn't received my script yet ...which I still have locked in a safe. I read it in one sitting and was excited as hell to get started because Lehane is such an amazing writer.

Some are puzzled why Scorsese decided to do this one - why do you think he did?

I wouldn't have the foggiest notion, but am so honored that he allowed me to come along for the ride.

I bet you are. Why do you think he chose you? How close to the character are you?

Maybe a good 60%. After I read the book I started jumping into the period reading as much as I could about it and listening to as much of the music of the time...then started   to play the game of "what would you have been doing during that time Curtiss?" so I would say a good 60% of Trey is just like me.

Tough shoot?

Not so much but to be real - I was so damn happy to be there I don't know if I would have noticed any hardship at all.

Hey, my buddy and producing partner Muse Watson just did a series with you - "Cop House". What's the latest on that, do you know?

Muse! What a cool ass Catt - that man can tell some gooood stories. Naw, I think that show is dead in the water - it was fun, but like most pilots I'm pretty sure it's in pilot heaven right about now.

That's too bad - up there with ‘'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien'', hey? Speaking of, didn't you once work with Conan?

I did about 4 to 5 skits -  if anybody can find them I would be highly impressed. You know the show...they were funny skits. Oh funny story...one time I played a singing page with really bad feet. Now they told me initially that I didn't have to memorize the song it would be on cue cards so I'm like ‘cool...let's do this', then at the last minute they put me in the audience and said they didn't want them - the audience - to read the cards and laugh before the punch line, and was I okay with that, I thought I was...but what happened after led to a re-recording of my bit and some over time for the crew...good times man, real good times.

You're doing a new James Bond-ish spy flick called ‘'Vauxhall Crossed'' in the near future, but what can you see you in next?

Actually the next film to look out for is "City Island" with Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies.

From ‘'Shutter Island'' to ‘'City Island'', hey!?

Yeah. I think it opens in March. And don't forget about the new HBO series "How to Make it in America" which I have a recurring role in. I think that should be starting in a couple of weeks. Check them please and let me know what you think.