Whitaker: Quiet heroes are compelling

Forest Whitaker believes filmgoers are “attracted to quiet heroes”.

The 53-year-old Oscar-winning actor plays a law enforcement agent opposite Liam Neeson in their forthcoming action film, Taken 3.

And Forest believes Liam portrays former government operative Bryan Mills exceptionally well in the Taken franchise.

"People are attracted to quiet heroes," Forest told USA Today. "Liam's presence has that. He gives people a sense of comfort and security. And he's an excellent actor."

In Taken 3, Forest’s character Franck Dotzler never exchanges blows with Liam’s persona Bryan.

Forest actually finds it disappointing the men don’t have a direct battle scene in the flick.

"There's no big fight between us, which I would have loved," he noted. "That will have to wait until Taken 4."

But Liam isn’t sure there will actually be an additional sequel added to the series in the future.

The 62-year-old believes Taken 3 might be a great way to complete the narrative.

"It's a rollicking good story," he shared. "But I think this is the end."

Although Liam is happy to take on action roles in his Golden Years, the star allows his stunt coordinator to perform the particularly physically demanding scenes.

However, the actor, who is also an amateur boxer, enjoys doing hand-to-hand combat onscreen when he can.

“If I feel audiences saying, 'Come on, he's 62, enough is enough,' I'm very sensitive to that and if I pick up that vibe it will all stop. And I'll start playing dads or grandfathers," Liam said. "But I keep myself pretty fit and my knees are still great. And it's fun."

Taken 3 reaches US theatres January 9 of next year.