But when I spoke to the masterful French director, he definitely had some bones to pick with Harvey Weinstein, the makers of "Casino Royale" and premature rumors of his retirement.

MTV: A few months ago there were many reports saying that you were retiring from film.

Besson: I did not say that exactly. It came from one interview that I did and some people picked up on a few lines of it and spread the thing like he's retiring.

MTV: It got many fans quite upset.

Besson: I was saying that after thirty years and ten films you don't have the same strength and energy. It's a moment where you say if I stop tomorrow, thanks everybody. I'm so happy I've made ten films. They let me make ten films. I cannot conceive to do one more film just for the money or any bad reason. If I do one it's because I feel I can bring something fresh or new. After Spring and Summer, you have Autumn and then you have Winter.

MTV: And where are you now?

Besson: I'm in the Autumn.

MTV: How did this story begin for you?

Besson: Ten years [ago] I started to write this story. I had the basic story, these two characters. There's this tiny guy who hates himself and lies all day long. That's the dark side of the moon and then there's the light which is her. It was this idea that it's the yin and the yang. If you put the two together you have one person.

MTV: Therefore your choice to film in black and white?

Besson: Everything is in opposite. Small/tall. Blonde/brown. Man/woman. Introverted/extroverted. Black and white. Light and dark. That's the purpose of the film, the yin and the yang.

MTV: Would you call this more of a personal film for you?

Besson: It's a little more personal because it's straight to the point. It says as a man there is this point where you have to accept that you're not Brad Pitt. You have to look in the mirror and say you're not Brad Pitt and so what? I'm happy for Brad Pitt but I have to deal with who I am. I'm not so bad and I'm not so good and that's it. Just like yourself a little more and it takes so much time. I think it's a universal thing. Most of us have to face that. And in this world today there is such an image of man and woman, you have to be perfect and rich and successful. Let's face it, even that is fake. We're building images. It's nuts.

MTV: You have not made a ton of films in your career. I would imagine though that the opportunity is there to be more prolific -- that Hollywood has come calling with big projects?

Besson: Every week. I make that choice all the time and sometimes it's difficult because the cast is huge and the paycheck is great. I've even had $9 million on the table with a big cast. But the question is, why are you doing this film? Are you doing this to make you rich? I don't want to put the cherry on the cake. Hollywood just wants the flavor. I want to do the cake. I don't care if the cake is no good. At least it's mine and I learn from it. I always answer them very politely because I feel honored. I'm still friendly with the studios. It's very strange. They're not mad at me. That's why they want me.

MTV: You're producing more films than ever, projects like "The Transporter" and "District B13." Do you think we're seeing a new kind of action emerge in film?

Besson: Probably. It's just a reminder to people that it's not all about the money. It's about the story and the imagination to try new things. The guys from "B13" were unknown and now you see James Bond steal from them.

MTV: Is that gratifying to see "Casino Royale" borrow elements?

Besson: It would be gratifying if they said it. That's what makes me go, hold on!

MTV: There are always rumors of a sequel to "The Professional."

Besson: I've heard that. It's been out there for a long time. I don't know where it comes from. I would love to see, but I don't want to do it because I've done it.

MTV: Are you still planning on making sequels to "Arthur and the Invisibles"?

Besson: Yes, we're going to do "Arthur 2" and "3." I wrote four books. The first film was the first two books. The film is successful around the world except here and the book was a bestseller. So it's cool.

MTV: Clearly the film wasn't marketed well here in the U.S.

Besson: It was a nightmare.

MTV: What happened?

Besson: Harvey Weinstein. That's it. Everybody knows it. Everybody says it to me. It's true that it's a different market here but here sometimes they want a film to fit in a certain box which is just wrong. People would rather see "Triplets of Belleville" if it's real even if it's from France. That's why this is the only country where the film didn't work.