Fresh off the phenomenal success of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” which was the No. 2 movie at the box office in 2009 (behind “Avatar”), Tyrese is back with another apocalyptic sci-fi adventure. “Legion,” however, is a horror flick with a rather novel, religious premise revolving around a struggle to survive the wrath of a vengeful God who has lost faith in humanity.

Kam Williams: Hey, Tyrese, thanks for the time. You had quite a year with “Transformers 2.” How does it feel riding that wave?

Tyrese Gibson stars in the supernatural action thriller Legion. (Photo By:  Lewis Jacobs/Screen Gems)

Tyrese: Honestly, everybody that’s in my life will tell you that I enjoy the highs of life, but I’m always that guy with the big fan in his hand trying to clear the smoke out right away in order to get back to the mission, back to the focus. It’s not that I don’t like to marinate in the blessings, because I do. But I’m very ambitious, very motivated to reach beyond what I’ve already mastered. I never get complacent. I’m not the type to relax and just kick my feet up as if I’ve made it. I’m always looking to go to the next level.

“Transformers” has literally changed my life in so many different ways. I’m known around the world now, because so many men, women and children have seen the film at some point. What a blessing that is. And now that I have that international stage, I’m all about maximizing and taking it to another level.

KW: Last summer, you also released your own comic book, “Mayhem”. How is that doing?

T: Oh, man, it’s doing beyond well. It’s selling like crazy. You know it’s available on iTunes in 38 countries now. I’ve partnered up with Apple and it’s being sold digitally. Basically, I have a digital comic book. I did the voiceover for all of Mayhem’s parts, and hired a bunch of other actors to do the other characters. And when you see a car crash in the comic, you can actually hear it. So, it’s like you’re watching a still yet motion comic.

KW: When I interviewed you last summer, you said that you would personally call anybody who purchased 25 copies of Mayhem. I guess it’s too late for fans to take advantage of that offer.  

T: No, not at all. If somebody’s going to invest that much to support something you’re passionate about, you’re supposed to call them with a personal thank you. I had that going over at the store, Meltdown Comics. I’m going to give you the number: (323) 851-7283. I’ll get that going again right now, if you’re willing to put it out there.   

KW: I definitely will. Let’s talk about “Legion.” It looks intriguing and intense!

T: Yeah, “Legion” is a real, heavy thriller with spiritual and religious overtones.

KW: Yeah, it poses a very intriguing question: What would happen if God lost faith in humanity? And judging by the trailer, it looks like you and the other leads serve sort of like the three wise men, as you try to protect this pregnant waitress (Adrianne Malicki) carrying the Christ child from an army off angels dispatched by God.

T: It’s us trying to protect her from all these forces on a mission to stop her from giving birth.

KW: Did you have any reservations about signing on, given that Scott Stewart was a first-time director?

T: No, he had lots of experience working with A-list directors, because he owns the special effects company called Orphanage.

KW: How’d you get along with the rest of the cast, like Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Charles S. Dutton and Lucas Black?

T: It was fun times, man. Paul Bettany is a really, really talented guy. That was my second film with Dennis Quaid, and my first time with Charles Dutton.  

KW: Was making this movie at all transformational for you?

T: I never read that deeply into it, because my faith is so etched in stone that I don’t allow images or situations to shake it. I just showed up to do my part.   

KW: In so many horror flicks, a brother is the first person to die. Is that the case this time?

T: No. But honestly, a black man always being the first to die makes sense to me because it’s hard to convince an audience that a black guy would trip and fall while being chased. Black folks would react totally differently than whites do to horror movie scenarios. You know what I mean? Rather than hang around some secluded place where people are getting picked off one-by-one, we’d be going, “I’m outta here!” That’s black folks’ instinct. We don’t run towards a problem, we run away from it.

KW: Laz Lyles would like to know, if you’re planning on doing another album soon?

T: No.

KW: Laz also asks, how do you feel about Mayhem as an entry into an exclusive canon of black superheroes?

T: You know what? I never really thought of it as a black thing. I just wanted to create a superhero. He is black, an African-American, but I really only wanted to develop a great character. So, that became my motivation….

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

T: I see ambition, focus, hunger, determination, passion, integrity and humility. I see a father and a man of substance. I see a man that’s spiritually grounded. And I see a man who just won’t settle, because there’s so much more to do….

KW: Thanks again, Tyrese, and best of luck with “Legion,” Mayhem and your many other ventures.

T: Okay, bro, I appreciate it.