The 50-year-old actor plays the title role of Joe Ransom in the drama, which centres on a fierce ex-con who surprisingly takes on the care of a down-and-out teenager.

Director David Gordon Green is impressed with how the seasoned actor approached character development in the independent film.

“He went the extra mile,” helmer David told Entertainment Weekly.

“He wasn’t just the actor sitting in front of a mirror memorising lines. [He] was so eager to reinvent himself.”

According to the filmmaker, Nicolas was more than willing to push boundaries throughout filming.

David is convinced Nicolas has no fear professionally, as he was constantly surprised by how the actor performed.

“When you let him loose, you find unexpected things,” David said. “He could handle a venomous cottonmouth snake without protection. That showed me an actor that was fearless. If it was appropriate for the role or his character, he would get in that mind-set and he could do anything — he would do anything. There’s a beauty to that.”

Although Nicolas hasn’t performed in a purely dramatic role for quite some time, David knew he was the man for the job immediately.

The thespian blew him away during the audition process.

“He had tremendous masculinity. He’s just in incredible shape and intimidating in stature. He also has great dramatic range as an actor. He can be in Con-Air and he can be in Leaving Las Vegas. And just for me, personally, and the manner in which I like to work…he’s a funny guy,” David said. “I like to have a good time when I’m making movies, and he seemed like a guy who would agree.”

Joe, which also stars Tye Sheridan, will be released in the US on April 11.