For hard core excitement, non stop action, thrilling fight sequences, and clever dialogue, “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” is your film this weekend. Directed, produced, and co-written by Mathew Vaughn the picture is based upon the popular comic book “The Secret Service” and tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. The powerhouse cast includes Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton, and Michael Caine. Our own Laura Willette had a chance to catch-up with busy director during a brief stop at the Fox Studios in New York City.  Here we learn the intricacies of bringing the popular comic to the big screen, and his secret to success.

Vaughn is a leading British filmmaker who has produced, written and directed an impressive array of films. Vaughn began his career as producer with Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch,” which starred Brad Pitt and received wide acclaim. Through his production company, MARV Films, Vaughn debuted as a director with Layer Cake, which starred Daniel Craig. Vaughn followed that up by directing and co-writing with his writing partner Jane Goldman, “Stardust,” which starred Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer. In 2009, Vaughn produced “Harry Brown,” which starred Michael Caine. 2010 saw Vaughn producing and writing “The Debt,” which starred Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington, and directing, producing and writing “Kick-Ass.” In 2011 Vaughn wrote and directed “X-Men: First Class” and in 2012 wrote and produced “Kick-Ass 2.”

HOMBRE: Congratulations on “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” exciting film. What sparked your initial interest in the project?
Matthew Vaughn: It all started with Martin Millar who wrote the comic; we wanted to do a spy film but not serious. I mean I like the Bond and Bourne films but I grew up on spy movies which were serious films but didn’t take themselves seriously. I thought it was time to do a post modern love letter to every spy film I loved as a kid.

H: What were the more challenging aspects in adapting a comic book to the silver screen?
MV:  Well, not many. The hardest thing we had to film was the underwater sequence which was impossible, and really tough.  On the first day the machine broke and the actors were terrified. When you’re filming underwater is very difficult, you have ten actors and no air and you can’t hear. And the puppies were hard work. But we had tons of fun making this movie. We were encouraging everyone to laugh and enjoy themselves.

H: This film has futuristic gadgets, a supervillain and a young spy, elements reminiscent of the 007 films; were you a fan of James Bond and would you say ‘Eggsy,’ the spy trainee, is sort of a younger version of James Bond?
MV: I’m definitely a James Bond fan. This is actually reminiscent more of earlier spy films. James Bond is the one every knows. But if you look at “In Like Flint,””The Avengers,” “Get Smart” you’ll see a little bit of all of them. ‘Eggsy’ is what I call the true modern gentleman spy. Where Bond was created in the 50’s or 60’s. ‘Eggsy’ is my knee jerk reaction of saying kids nowadays need opportunities. How can they prove themselves when they’re not given the chance to prove themselves. ‘Eggsy’ is an inspiration to all those kids who think life is not giving them any chances. They can say, ‘You know what, I’m going to go out there and make a chance like ‘Eggsy’ did.

H:  “Kingsman” explores a mentor/protege relationship, did you have a mentor in the film business?
MV: I wish! Actually my first mentors in the film industry were from a restaurant. I was a busboy at the Hard Rock Cafe and I was very confused because all the other waiters were writers directors, actors or producers and I thought wow! They all talked about the film industry. I was actually filling ketchup bottles everyday and not having any idea that you could have a career in film.  And you know they all failed at it, or were all failing then, working at a restaurant. But they gave me the inspiration and they actually explained to me how the business worked.

H:  What advice would you give aspiring talent looking to enter the film business?
MV: I would say number one, to tell a good story. Number two, is not difficult, just get on with it. Number three, if you don’t love and you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it. And number four, to watch a lot of movies even bad ones. You can learn as much from a bad  movie, as you can from a good one.

H: 5. Following up on the comic book theme, who is your favorite comic book villain of all time?
MV: Lex Luthor.