Read our exclusive interview with director Morgan J. Freeman on his upcoming film “Homecoming” Starring Mischa Barton (“The OC”, CW’s “The Beautiful Life”), Jessica Stroup (CW’s “90210”) and Matt Long (ABC’s “The Deep End”) which opened on July 17 in New York, Los Angeles and Louisville.

1. Tell us about yourself, where are you from, and what is your background in directing?

BORN AND RAISED IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. PARTIED IN UC SANTA BARBARA THEN WENT TO SCHOOL IN NEW YORK. BREAKTHROUGH FILM JOB WAS 2ND AD ON WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE WHERE I MET BRENDAN SEXTON III AND SUBSEQUENTLY WROTE HURRICANE STREETS FOR HIM — THE REST WAS HISTORY.

2. Who has been your biggest influence as a director?

EMIR KUSTURICA. TIME OF THE GYPSIES AND ARIZONA DREAM RANK AS SOME OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES, BUT HE’S BY FAR MY FAV DIRECTOR.

3. Tell us about your new film “Homecoming”.

IT’S A NEW SPIN ON THE CLASSIC THRILLER MISERY. THEY GUYS WHO DEVELOPED IT SAW HOW DISTURBIA PLAYED OFF REAR-WINDOW, AND HOW SWIMFAN PLAYED OFF FATAL ATTRACTION. OH, AND MISCHA BARTON GOES AFTER 90210’S JESSICA STROUP WITH AN AXE!!!!

4. In your opinion, what is the most important thing a director should bring to the set?

BRING AN ATMOSPHERE OF CALM UNDER WHICH EVERYONE CAN DO THEIR BEST WORK. OH, AND SNACKS!

5. Any future projects in the works?

MY NEW SHOW “16 AND PREGNANT” IS CURRENTLY RUNNING ON MTV (THURS 10PM) AND WE ARE SHOOTING A 2ND SEASON NOW. I’M ALSO WRITING A SCRIPT ABOUT A VERY DARK YEAR I SPENT LIVING IN ECHO PARK.

Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest from “Homecoming”.