Sure, his dominating presence in such films as "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch" and "Swordfish" proved vital in British actor Vinnie Jones landing the role of Juggernaut in "X-Men: The Last Stand"; but when it all came down the nuts and bolts of his metal-clad character, it was Jones' career as a soccer superstar in the U.K. that proved more valuable than anything.

In many ways, Jones told me in a recent @ The Movies interview, preparing for the film was similar to his old career, since a character like Juggernaut needed all of the goods of a soccer player - strength, determination and stamina - to kick some X-Men butt.

"It was very much like starting a new football season," Jones said. "We had to do six weeks of preseason training, and that's what I did for 'X-Men.' I was in the gym twice a day for six weeks and got myself physically built up."

But Jones, added, director Brett Ratner encouraged him to make some modifications. For one, the fierce mentality Jones used to bring out to the soccer field had to be tamed a bit.

"We had to walk a fine line because Brett wanted Juggernaut to be cool and make people laugh with some of the lines I had," Jones said. "Brett was full of enthusiasm for Juggernaut which was great for me because I like the comedic side of stuff as well."

But just because Jones' soccer career benefited him for the "X-Men: The Last Stand," he wasn't about to squander the opportunity to absorb the talents of his fellow actors to make the role of Juggernaut a memorable one.

Chief among Jones' studies was Sir Ian McKellen, who throughout the "X-Men" film series has brought a fine mix of mayhem and playful menace to Magneto, leader of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. In the movie, Magneto is responsible for breaking Juggernaut out of a highly secure prison transport, and enlists him in the Brotherhood to fight against humans who are trying to push a "cure" on their fellow mutants.

"I've been so lucky because I've worked so closely with Ian, and I'm doing a movie at the moment called 'The Riddle' with Derek Jacobi, who's a good friend of his," Jones said "People have asked me, 'How come you haven't had any acting lessons?' And I tell them, 'You don't need acting lessons when you're working with these guys. You just watch and learn.'

"I study them. I don't sit in the trailer to pass time, I get on the set and watch," Jones added. "It's the same with Hugh, Brad Pitt, John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. I'm working with great actors. That's been my learning curve."

If Jones gets his druthers, he'll be suiting up as Juggernaut again to learn some more. He said just because the title is "The Last Stand," it doesn't mean it's the last "X-Men" movie.

"My contract is for 'X-Men 3' '4' and '5,' so I've got to keep my fingers crossed that this movie does so well that we'll make them all," Jones said. "I think the fans of X-Men will demand '4' and '5."

And also on Jones' wish list is the promise of the "Wolverine" prequel, which is in the development phase.

"Hugh's doing 'Wolverine' so we'll just have to see if there's a part for Juggernaut in there," Jones enthused. "I have some great fight scenes in 'X-Men: The Last Stand' with him so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we cross paths in 'Wolverine.'"

For now, Jones is hoping fans will be going along for the ride on the new "X-Men" film. He told me that the fans were of prime importance in the shaping of his monolithic character.

"I think the fans own the characters, so I want them to know that I put every effort in for Juggernaut to be everything that they wanted," Jones said. "Maybe he's not as big as people want him to be. I'm 6 foot 6 inches in it, not 7 feet tall and I'm not 600 pounds, but about 350-400 pounds. So, I just hope for the fans that I delivered for them. We've all put our best effort in. I'm just glad that everybody so far seems really pleased with Juggernaut. They're making a figure of him so I must have done something right."