There’s an almost palpable electricity that surrounds a man whose career is blasting off into full gear and for film actor Max Ryan, the electric buzz surrounding him is so thick you almost have to chop through it with an axe. With several stellar film projects set to release this fall and one already in theaters, we couldn’t resist choosing Ryan to portray our International man of Mystery/James Bond figure for the cover shoot of Beverly Hills Report.

“I believe we are all grown up kids at heart, in fact, it’s a strong possibility that some of us just can't seem to grow up — myself included,” said Ryan after the shoot. “As I stand next to the latest Aston Martin posing as James Bond, I am James Bond today. And after searching the four corners of the world, I came to the conclusion that we all have a little bit of Bond built inside.”

His Zen take on Bond aside, Ryan has built a strong reputation as a tough guy onscreen by acting alongside prominent punch-throwing Hollywood stars such as, Sean Connery, Jet Li, Steven Segal and more. Now poised to release “Death Race” through Universal Pictures — a slick remake of the 1975 classic in which Ryan holds a starring role — we sat down with the actor to chat about his latest projects, surviving being a real life target for the Lebanese army and what it’s like to have a new film coming out featuring Tom Cruise as one of its producers.

Q. You seem to have a knack for action roles. Do you feel there’s a “tough guy” aspect to your personality that draws you to these types of roles?
A. Even though I've played a lot of really tough men, I don’t see myself as an overall tough guy. In fact, I'm quite the opposite and try to walk away from trouble. I’m actually more of a pondering and calm person. I take my time in a situation and evaluate all of the circumstances. However, I have shown that I can handle myself when I needed to over the years. As an emerging actor I can’t be having bar brawls and insinuating that I am going to karate chop a man’s head off, but if someone wants to be a tough guy I won’t walk away, and if I stay — it's going to hurt. Action characters thrill all men as they are exciting, dangerous, and they appeal to the girls. I am fortunate enough to live the thrill on set and then walk away to a more normal life.

Q. Please discuss your newest film release, “Death Race.”
A. “Death Race” is a remake of Roger Corman’s 1975 cult classic that starred Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine. The 2008 version was released August 22, 2008 through Universal Studios, Impact Pictures and Cruise/Wagner. I play Slovo Pachenko the nemesis to Jensen Aimes played by Jason Statham, who becomes acquainted with Machine-Gun Jo, played by Tyrese Gibson.

The story is placed in the future and it’s about inmates that race against each other for their lives and freedom. You win five races and you’re going home or die trying, since there are traps strategically located around the track. This is the most memorable part of my career, and possibly the most intense role that I can seriously say that I had just too much fun playing.

Q. What is your concept of luxury?
A. Freedom

Q. What is a luxury you like to indulge in?
A. Truthfully speaking I believe there are many different types of what we find to be defined, as luxury. Luxury is something that makes you feel good, or gives you the sense that you’re still alive or with some kind of excitement from a great pleasure. I find my luxury in adrenalin — being able to travel at speed gives me that sense or feeling of adrenaline. For example, when I raced bikes from moto-cross to super bikes or when skiing at high speeds early in the morning before any one is on the slopes, it’s a sense of being on the edge fighting with either staying on your skies or bike, or simply holding on with everything you have. It’s a feeling that in someway many people at sometime in their lives feel, but not to many times. Athletes look for this in their sport— it’s the maker of what we are and what we become or what it makes us out to be.

Q. Given your background, did you grow up with an appreciation for the James Bond films?
A. I was born and bred in England/Europe, and James Bond was always a special occasion with my parents. From my early childhood memories, I can remember usually on Saturday evenings it was dinner in front of the TV, lights down, fire blazing, and Bond for dessert. When they introduced the car and the latest gadgets, I remember saying, "Dad, do you think he will use the oil spray or the ejector seat?”

Q. Who was your favorite Bond and why?
A. Roger Moore seems to have a cat or lion-like attitude, playful when needed, and claws out when required. He had all the attributes that the legendary Mr. Ian Fleming intended for the Bond character down to the mark. However, it’s hard to say who the favorite is since Connery, Brosnan and Craig all did great work and still carry superb elements of Fleming’s vision of that character.

Q. You were recently involved in a misunderstanding in Lebanon, which ended being covered by CNN and the New York Times. What happened?
A. It happened during filming for another upcoming film of mine, “Blackline: The Beirut Contract.” The film is a cool documentary style movie based on a private military company that is required to rescue a hostage from Beirut, Lebanon. While we also shot in Morocco, Spain, filming primarily took place in Beirut for the most part, which resulted in a potentially dangerous situation involving the Lebanese army. We were basically mistaken for actual terrorists by the Lebanese army, who had surrounded the building we were shooting in. Luckily, the situation was diffused before it got out of hand, but it was a close call.

Q.: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work and upcoming projects?
A: Now having just wrapped in Beirut, I am drafted on a movie called “Dark Moon Rising” in Nevada. It’s hot here, yet the setting for the film is authentic and true to form. I am surrounded by actors that have filled the screen for decades and appeared in cult movies, so I hope to keep learning and growing as an actor. It’s a tight script and a great character to play, so there’s going to be snakes and bugs for a few months.