The visual effects-studded film The Meg, directed by American director Jon Turteltaub, features a prehistoric creature and will hit the Chinese theaters in August. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It was a hot summer's afternoon in Shanghai. After making my way across the city for an interview at an upmarket hotel about the upcoming sci-fi blockbuster The Meg, I was told my interview with Jason Statham and director Jon Turteltaub would be cut to just eight minutes.

"Give us more minutes, please," abruptly appealed Statham, with a warm smile, despite the fact the two were due to catch a flight.

And without warning, Turteltaub quickly kicked off his shoes and socks and began to make himself comfortable on the chair opposite me, barefoot and all. "I hurt my foot," he explained.

It was perhaps one of the more unusual starts to an interview, but it did show that the two stars were relaxed and ready for questions.