Tommy Chong talksColor Out of Spaceand his problem withThe Masked Singer

Up in Smoke actor costars with Nicolas Cage in new horror film.

My characters an old hermit, says Chong.

Hes been living by himself in his little man-shack in the woods.

He provides some [chuckles] not so welcome answers to a lot of questions that the movie asks.

I love this character.

Its really an extension of who I am.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Youre known for appearing in comedies and this is very much a horror film.

How did you get involved?TOMMY CHONG:The director.

He thought Id be a perfect old hermit.

And he was right!

Ive always been a seeker of the supernatural, you might say, and the spiritual.

So, this fit in perfectly.

Are you a fan of horror movies?Not necessarily.

I mean, Im a fan more of reading horror.Stephen King, you know.

And the Bible itself is filled with a lot of horror.

So, horror, it takes you to the brink and asks you to question existence.

I like being scared but I also like knowing that Ive got nothing to be scared of.

What was he like to work with?Richard is just an incredible guy.

Hes the real deal, the real deal.

The character was based on someone Richard knew.

Did you talk about that?Oh, yes.

But those guys are around.

I grew up with those guys.

Back in the day, they never called them homeless, they called them hermits or hoboes.

I grew up in Canada.

You were on the first season ofThe Masked Singer.

Its how hemp can save the world.

So thats my next job, is really to kind of save the world!

Color Out of Spacehits theaters Jan. 24.

More information can be found onthe films website.