Michael Douglas Talks 'Beyond the Reach,' Coming Back From Cancer

— -- Madec, Michael Douglas' character in "Beyond the Reach," couldn't get any nastier.

Douglas said it's always fun to play the villain, and he doesn't mind the obvious comparisons to one of his iconic characters, Gordon Gekko.

"It allows you much more freedom ... and to have fun, rather than being politically correct," he told ABC News.

The thriller, which hit theaters Friday, is intense. Madec hunts his co-star Jeremy Irvine's character out in the middle of the hot desert for most of the film, something Irvine said not only looked hardcore and brutal, but "actually was."

"Jeremy was barefoot and running around in his skivvies," Douglas said, adding that no one got hurt on set, something "we felt really lucky about."

Considering that Douglas, 70, lost 40 pounds a few years back in his battle against stage-four cancer, he said being in such a physical role makes him feel lucky and that he's "jamming" now!

"I was so lucky right after the cancer battle to have the 'Behind the Candelabra' experience, which was such a great package, great script, Soderbergh directing, Matt Damon," he said. "Combined with the fact that you know you've dodged a bullet."

Douglas said that he consulted actor Larry Hagman before Hagman's death in November 2012, who, he said, "was blessed to have his second go with 'Dallas.'"

Now, Douglas said, he has a "resurgence of energy and new appreciation for the work. I love what I'm doing."

Douglas said he is grateful that, with his younger children entering their teens, he can enjoy his films with them.

"For a few years, they didn't even know what I did," he said. "They couldn't see any of my movies because they were R-rated. Now, they both have an interest in performing and understand it better. It's a vicarious thrill."

Irvine, 24, said he was impressed with the energy Douglas brought to the set.

"There were times where I was lagging behind and Michael is still jumping up there," he said. "I've been very lucky to work with incredible people who have had such wonderful careers, like Michael, and they have one thing in common: They really love the work and are so passionate about what they are doing."

"There were a couple of days where I sat on the top of the cliff with Michael watching the sunset like I've never seen before, and I think that's kind of one of the best things about the movie," Irvine said.