Steven Seagal talks Maximum Conviction, due out on Blu-ray and DVD November 6

Steven Seagal has shined as an innovative action icon throughout his legendary career, dating back to his 1988 debut Above the Law. His latest movie, Maximum Conviction, pairs him up with former WWE wrestler-turned actor Steve Austin, where they play ex-soldiers tasked with decommissioning a prison, when they are attacked by a mysterious group of mercenaries. I recently had the chance to speak with Steven Seagal for Maximum Conviction, due out on Blu-ray and DVD November 6. Here's what he had to say.

I noticed that both yourself and Steve Austin had worked with director Keoni Waxman before. I was curious at what point did this project come about, and did he mention wanting to work with both of you in the same project before?

Steven Seagal: Well, Keoni is a very good friend of mine. I'm his biggest fan. He's a great director, great writer, and it's always my pleasure to work with him.

So had he ever mentioned you and Steve Austin working together?

Steven Seagal: That I don't know. I never really asked him that.

You can tell from the first scene with both you and Steve Austin that these characters have a history together. Did you develop any kind of back story as to what kind of background they have together?

Steven Seagal: Yeah, I think the way we tried to work it out was we had been operating together in this special forces community for a long time. We had been teammates for a long time. That's how we worked it out.

Did you have to do any research into these private security contractors at all?

Steven Seagal: You know, between you and I, I am one of those guys in real life (Laughs).

Can you talk a bit about working with Steve, and the rapport you developed on the set?

Steven Seagal: I found him to be a constant professional. I really enjoyed him as a friend, a human being, an actor. He's a really good actor, and just a wonderful guy. He's just a simple country boy like me, so I got along with him really well.

Can you talk a bit about how your fighting style has evolved throughout your career? This one goes back to the old-fashioned bone-breaking from your earlier movies like Above the Law. Is there anything specific you want to bring to these scenes, at this point in your career?

Steven Seagal: I just try to come up with stuff that people haven't seen a million times.

You produced this as well. I was wondering if you could talk about your roles as an actor and producer, moving forward in your career? Does this help you make the movies you really want to make, instead of being a cog in the studio system?

Steven Seagal: Everybody right now, with the economy the way it is, people can try to bullshit you and tell you whatever they want. The movie business, everybody just wants to work. We don't always control what we're doing, but every once in awhile, I get to do the kind of movie that I really relate to. This was a movie I could relate to, and a role I could relate to, more the role than anything.

Can you talk a bit about where you actually shot this? Was this an actual prison that you went to?

Steven Seagal: I think it was an actual prison. I think it was an abandoned prison.

Can you talk about working with the rest of the cast? There are quite a diverse group of actors in this one. Can you talk about the tone on the set with the whole cast?

Steven Seagal: I just thought it was really nice. Those two female inmates were really fine actresses and a pleasure to work with. It was just a fun movie to do.

Is there anything you can say about True Justice? Do you know if that will be moving forward with a new season?

Steven Seagal: It's a good possibility. I don't have the ultimate say-so on that, so we'll see.

There are a lot of actors in this that had smaller roles in True Justice. Was it fun bringing a lot of these people back?

Steven Seagal: Yeah, a lot of times the director wants to work with people who are familiar to him.

Is there anything you're developing right now as a producer or an actor?

Steven Seagal: There is a movie Tip of the Spear, which is about the border wars, which I'm in the process of financing. There are three or four things I'm very close to.

What would you like to say to your fans or fans of the action genre, about why they should pick up Maximum Conviction on Blu-ray or DVD?

Steven Seagal: I think people find it fun. Steve and I out there together, going after the bad guys (Laughs).

Great. That's about all I have. Thanks so much, Steven. It was a pleasure talking to you.

Steven Seagal: Thank you, brother.

You can watch Steven Seagal team up with Steve Austin in Maximum Conviction, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD November 6.