Plenty of people would say actor Guy Pearce is a bit of a sexy beast, but he pales into insignificance next to his latest co-stars, a pack of real tigers.

And while the Aussie heart-throb is clearly playing second fiddle to his majestic sidekicks in the new movie Two Brothers, opening today, he isn't even slightly bothered that they get all the glory.

"It's one of the reasons I wanted to do the film," he says. "I liked the style and tone of the film - the fact that it is through the eyes of the cats and you get a sense of what they're experiencing. The people are more in the background."

The movie, directed by The Bear's Jean-Jacques Annaud, has already opened to huge acclaim in France.

Set in the Asian jungle in the 20th Century, the story revolves around two tiger cubs, Sangha and Kumal, who are separated when their father is killed by famous fortune hunter Aidan McRory, played by Pearce.

Their journey back to one another is fraught with adventures and danger and ultimately has a profound effect on McRory.

Although there's no computer wizardry there is plenty of jaw-dropping action, courtesy of more than 30 highly-trained, fully-grown and cub tigers who star.

And the environmental message of the movie struck a chord with the 36-year-old actor, who has always been passionate about wildlife.

"I'm not an activist as such but I have strong views about doing the right thing by animals," he explains, "I donate a lot of money to various animal charities and causes. Since making this film I've narrated a documentary about tigers, which is a way of helping because it sheds light on the plight of the animals."

His passion went further when he found himself working with the tiger cubs for most of the day.

"I couldn't put them down," he smiles. "I used to feed them and after a while they started following me around, but even though the cubs are small, they're very heavy, very strong, with such deep voices. It was astounding,"

In fact, Guy bonded with his feline co-stars to such an extent, he insisted on appearing in one scene with a fully-grown tiger - the only actor allowed to be at close range without protection.

Normally scenes between actors and big cats are shot separately, but with strict supervision from tiger trainer Thierry Le Portier, Guy was able to get up close.

"The exciting thing is their moods change so quickly," he says. "They can be very curious and suddenly become scared, then they'll forget that and go back to being curious.

"I was looking at this tiger and all I could think of was Thierry's voice in my head saying, 'You can train them, but you can't tame them'," he adds smiling.

"It was so exciting and such a buzz but a bit bizarre too because all the actors were in cages to make sure they didn't get hurt while the tigers were wandering around freely.

"Normally it's the other way round," he adds laughing.

And he reveals he got some inspiration for being with the tigers from his own family. His older sister is mentally disabled and he felt a connection at an honest, primal level.

"On some level to me, my sister represents much more of a personality that's similar to an animal than the agenda-driven, protective personality that we generally present," he says.

Clearly happy in a natural environment Guy admits he can spend weeks alone in the Australian outback with just his guitar for company.

Born in England, and brought up in Australia from a young age, the star now has homes in LA and Sydney.

After shooting to fame in Neighbours, he's starred in movie hits such as LA Confidential, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert and Memento. But while Guy shuns the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, he admits he has gradually come to terms with Tinseltown.

"I think I was very cynical when I first came to Hollywood. I really struggled with the notion of having to live here. But now I can deal with it. I realised that I had to learn to accept the place, if only because of work.

"I've met a lot of great, intelligent people, so when I come here now it feels friendlier and more familiar."

For all his new-found comfort in Hollywood the reluctant star says he never wants the kind of A-list celebrity his LA Confidential star Russell Crowe has.

"When I was in Neighbours I experienced that whole ridiculous thing of screaming teenage fans chasing me down the street for four or five years. It was horrible," he recalls.

"I didn't want some producer or studio to turn me into the hot new thing. They were talking like it was gonna happen, but I resisted it.

"I want to make interesting, small films. They pay enough. I don't need vast amounts."