The last few times we've seen Common on the big screen, he's played characters on the opposite side of the law. In 'Smokin' Aces,' he played a hustler's right-hand man, while in 'American Gangster,' he was a drug dealer working alongside Denzel Washington. He took on a more sinister role as an assassin in 'Wanted,' which also starred veteran actor Morgan Freeman.

This time around, Common is on the right side, playing Barnes, a soldier who's helping preserve mankind with Christian Bale in 'Terminator: Salvation.'

Directed by McG, the movie follows a group of survivors led by John Connor (Bale) who struggle to keep the machines from annihilating the human race.

The Chicago native chatted with Black Voices about his role, working with Christian Bale and his latest ventures.

What attracted you to this film?

Common: 'Terminator' is a classic movie, and to be in one of the continuing films was incredible for me. To be an African American man in that film was another reason. You didn't see too many brothers in those films.

How would you describe your character?

Common: My character, Barnes, is part of the resistance. He's like a spiritual revolutionary soldier. When you think of Malcolm X or when you think of Martin Luther King, they fought in certain ways. Malcolm X definitely had the warrior in him. He was down for the spiritual fight, too. I look at my character as someone who's down for the spiritual fight and is a warrior.

Since this film is part of a franchise, did you do anything special to prepare?

Common: The preparation for this was a little different because you are dealing with a post-apocalyptic time, which is a time where no one can go and do research and say they lived in that time period. You can only imagine what it's like to live in a world that's been destroyed and then be in that place. Obviously, there are people in the world who are dealing with now, as they are living in war-torn areas. A lot of preparation came once I got to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we shot the movie. I just participated in the development of the character. I read the script, but there wasn't a lot for my character initially.

Have you seen all of the 'Terminator' films?

Common: Yeah. I've watched every one. I liked the movies when I was young. I saw 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' first. I wasn't a crazy fanatic, but once I got the role, I brushed up on the films again. I appreciate them even more now.

How was the shoot in New Mexico?

Common: It was fun. We had a great time. I loved the energy of the people. They were really cool. I love mountains and the sun. It was beautiful. I enjoyed the environment. I had some shows there before, so I had an affinity for Albuquerque.

How was working with Christian Bale?

Common: He was really cool. I learned a lot from him. He's a real solid guy. He's a good person to work with. He was like a teacher and at the same time he's a friend, and had jokes, too. I was able to learn from his focus.

What did you learn from McG?

Common: I just observed his leadership skills. He could fire a team up and get things going the way it should be. I think he was doing magic with what we had. A lot of times during the shoot when the script was being developed, he was making sure we were focused and going in the right direction.

You held a gun in most of your films, including this one. How much of a gun expert are you now?

Common: I'm pretty good with guns. I try not to involve myself with them in my everyday life. As an actor, I've become really good with guns. Fortunately, I'm doing a comedy film with Steve Carell and Tina Fey called 'Date Night,' and I play a bad guy, a dirty cop in the movie. But this next film I may be doing, which also stars Latifah, I won't have any guns.

Is this your first comedy?

Common: This is my first comedy.

How is your T-shirt line doing?

Common: We're doing great. We've had a lot of success with Microsoft T-shirts. This is the clothing line I started with them. I really love the shirts, and I rock them all the time. I also did a couple of skits, one for Microsoft and one for Will Ferrell's comedy Web site.

What's next with your music?

Common: I'm working on a new album, with Kanye West producing. More than anything, I'm just looking to be happy and healthy.

Are we going to see you on the silver screen as Green Lantern?

Common: We really don't know. We want it to. It fell apart, and we don't know if it will be put back together.

Why should anyone see 'Terminator: Salvation?'

Common: If you like fun, exciting movies with a good story and good action that you could enjoy, then go see this.