Ewan McGregor: Whale Of A Story

Actor Ewan McGregor is known for his diverse film roles, such as in the musical "Moulin Rouge," the manic and druggy "Trainspotting" and the first two episodes of the Star Wars films. His latest project is whimsical director Tim Burton's new movie, "Big Fish."

McGregor recently sat down with Jess Cagle, The Early Show entertainment correspondent and People magazine senior editor.

The actor says that when he read the "Big Fish" script he was left speechless by it. That's saying a lot, because McGregor is known for his daring film choices.

"I think there is something about fathers and sons," McGregor says. "It's a film only about the reparation of a father and son relationship … I suppose it makes you contemplate mortality in a way and that could be very moving, but at the same time it has this wonderful fantastical quality."

In "Big Fish," actor Albert Finney plays a dying man who tells the story of his life through tall tales. McGregor plays Finney's character as a young man. Although McGregor didn't share any scenes with Finney, McGregor says it was a dream-come-true to just be on the same movie set with the great actor.

"He's a legend for me," McGregor says. "Not only did I get to play him as a younger man in the movie, but I got to spend some time with him. And, I was blown away. He's a beautiful man."

Spending time in a small southern town was a first for McGregor, who was able to drive a pick-up truck like the natives of the town.

"I had the truck and the empty gun rack behind me. But I loved it," he says. "There's a great neighborliness down there in that part of the world and my back yard was always full of kids from the neighborhood and that was just brilliant. I liked it."

McGregor found a welcome dinner there a pleasant surprise.

"Someone phoned up just after we'd arrived and said, 'Y'all eat meat?' I went, 'I'm terribly sorry. What did you say?' And they went, 'Y'all eat meat?' And I went, 'Yes, we eat meat.' And, then they hung up. And half-an-hour later this lady arrived with an oven dish with a side of beef in it and vegetables with gravy in it. It was ready just to sling into the oven. And we shoved it in there. It was the most beautiful dinner."

In making "Big Fish," McGregor was able to work with actress Alison Lohman, adding to his list of talented female co-stars he's worked with.

McGregor described some of the famous actresses he had co-starred with.

Renee Zellweger: "I just want to say she's fantastic. Renee's fantastic. She's gorgeous to work with and she has a real generous spirit. She's a lovely, lovely lady. Renee drives the fastest car I've ever been in. She drives this turbo charged, super charged car. No, it can't be super charged and turbo charged … The only time I experienced acceleration more than in her car was when I was flying in my brother's tornado jet fighter plane."

Cameron Diaz: "A little saliva string, I remember [having] with Cameron. We had the most beautiful kiss -- and it's just the one … But we have this lovely kiss and then as we pulled away, this little tiny string of saliva remains there and joined us."

Nicole Kidman: "I remember her skill of wearing incredible dancing high heels. [Kidman was] wearing the most extraordinarily uncomfortable costumes, and never complained and was a real trooper."

Gwyneth Paltrow: "I remember singing 'Do You Not See My Lady?' and I remember singing that song into my wife's tummy when she was pregnant with Clara, our first daughter. That's the link. We sang this song in 'Emma,' where I was wearing the worst wig in the world."

At the age of 32, McGregor has worked with some of Hollywood's finest. But he knows that his career is in transition.

"It's funny, now I'm playing the older guy," he laughs. "I was always the younger guy. It's really weird. I made the last two movies, the one I'm making now, 'Stay,' I'm the older guy and Ryan Gosling's the young guy. And, I'm the psychiatrist and he's the patient. And then in the Star Wars films, there's Obi Wan and then there's Hayden [Christensen]. And I'm now not the young guy any more. It's really funny."