His career is pretty fascinating, because its almost impossible to predict what kind of film hell make next.

Then he made a period drama.

Then a weird sci-fi movie set in a mental hospital.

Then a spooky horror film, and followed it up with a fantasy movie for kids.

How many directors can you name whove made a series of films that diverse?

We got hold of Iain for a chat about it before, inevitably, steering the conversation towards Hackers…

Your new film,Trap For Cinderella,is based on a novel.

What was it that appealed to you about the story?

I was gripped by it when I read it.

I didnt know where it was going.

But I really didnt know where it was going.

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I was just intrigued and fascinated by Micky.

I think thats what got under my skin.

Why did you decide to bring it up to date?

Yeah, its very contemporary.

Making it contemporary as opposed to period, the assumption was that it would be less expensive.

It was a sort of counterpoint to the East End gangster film, in a way.

So that was really exciting, I thought.

So is the location really important to you, when youre making a film?

And I think that a place isnt a place without people and their perceptions of it.

New Orleans is a mixture of the experiences that everyone has when theyre there.

Its partly to do with what youre drawn to, and what you choose to seek out.

It wasnt the kind of tourist, trad jazz Mardi Gras place I was expecting at all.

Thats the root of the obsession really.

Lets talk about the cast.

Their names came up from the casting director, Dixie Chassay.

So I said, Let me find a couple of people who are less well-known.

And as youve pointed out, they have careers that are accelerating very fast.

Alexandra is in a film opposite James Cordon, and Tuppence is in the WachowskisJupiter Ascending… And I encouraged that, because I wanted them to be aware of each others characteristics.

Talking about casting fresh new up and coming actors brings us to talking aboutHackers.

Its funny, actually.

I read a review about eight years ago that said some people think this is a cult movie.

Its not a cult movie!

And that was a risk, it was a risk for the studio.

I saw it as an equivalent of rock and roll.

It was about finding what is the next thing?

So I wanted hip sexy actors, and Jonny and Angie were the two who fitted that bill!

We sent the tapes to Hollywood, and they said, yeah, they are, youre right.

I didnt quite understand how rare that is.

And we wanted the music to reflect that as well.

We had a fantastic soundtrack, put together by Gala Wright and Bob Last.

Everybody said whats this music?

I think we had it for the UK release.

And I think thereve been three Hackers soundtracks now!

What happened was that it really appealed to a much younger generation.

Its a darker, indier film, and a fabulous film for that.

People who grew up with it now have more of a voice.

Its his go-to cheer up movie, and he revisits it all the time.

He can basically recite the whole script.

We were told that it was too obscure.

Its a really complicated film, actually.

I think it has to be… was he in it?

I think it has to be that.

Iain Softley, thank you very much!

Trap For Cinderellais out now in UK cinemas.