Taylor Kitsch also opens up to MTV News about filming his sexiest scene so far in 'Savages.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Rihanna in the "Battleship" poster
Photo: Universal Pictures

No one can ever accuse Taylor Kitsch of slacking off. In addition to heading up the massive release of "John Carter" this week, Kitsch has two more movies headed for theaters before the summer is out.

In his second big-budget action movie of the year, Kitsch will try to sink some alien scum in Peter Berg's "Battleship," based on the classic board game. Always a fan of ironic understatement, Kitsch told Josh Horowitz during MTV First, "Yeah, it was fun."

Through "Battleship," Kitsch not only reunited with Berg, who gave him his breakout role as Tim Riggins in "Friday Night Lights," but he also worked closely with acting legend Liam Neeson. "Liam Neeson is kind of decent. I had to carry Liam on my back," Kitsch joked. "Let's just get that out there." Knowing better, he added, "He's going to eat me for breakfast."

Taking a more serious approach to talking about the movie, Kitsch said he was honored to work with both Neeson and Berg. "[Neeson] is amazing, and so is Pete. It was very flattering for him to come and pitch and talk about 'Battleship' and to regroup with him," Kitsch said. "As you guys know, he was the catalyst in hiring Tim Riggins. I love the guy. He's a dear friend. Again, it is so hard to say 'no' to that guy. This movie will surprise a lot of people."

"Battleship" also marks the big-screen debut for Rihanna, and when forced to say whether her acting talent surpasses his singing skills, Kitsch took a very political approach. "Oh, man. This is a tough one," he said. "This is intense. She's better at acting."

Large action flicks aren't the only tricks Kitsch has up his sleeve this summer. He'll also star in a film from iconic director Oliver Stone called "Savages."

In "Savages," Kitsch plays a pot grower who gets mixed up with the wrong people. The movie should have some of the raciest material Kitsch has had to work with. "There's some sex in there. The opening scene of Chon, pretty intense," he said. "Chon's the guy I play in it. That opening scene, if [Stone] keeps it that way ..."

"Blake Lively plays O, and Aaron Johnson plays Ben, so it's basically these two guys that are in love with this one girl in their own way and will truly do anything for her and to get her back," Kitsch said of the story. "She gets kidnapped quite early in the film, so it's that journey of getting O back. And it's those crossroads that are inevitably met with Benicio del Toro, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek. Again, on the back.," he joked.

Check out everything we've got on "John Carter" and "Battleship."

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• MTV First: John Carter

• Five Important Moments In The 'Battleship' Trailer

• Rihanna