Matt Dillon in two genre films "Old Dogs," "Armored"

CEBU, Philippines - Matt Dillon has built a successful film career that spans three decades, showcasing his wide range of dramatic and comedic talents. As The New York Times’ film critic A.O. Scott put it, “He seems to be getting better with every film.” Now, the Oscar-nominated actor stars in two films that couldn’t be more different from each other – Disney’s family comedy “Old Dogs” and Columbia Pictures’ action-thriller “Armored.”

In “Old Dogs” which also stars John Travolta and Robin Williams, Matt Dillon was cast as Barry, an earnest Pioneer scout leader Dan (Travolta) and Charlie (Williams) encounter during a family camping trip. “My character is a little overzealous,” says Dillon. “He takes being a scout a little too seriously. I really like doing comedy, the chance to really have fun. I think the best way to play comedy is to play it straight, to play it sincere. I think it’s gotta be heartfelt.”

Says producer Andrew Panay, “What Matt brings to the table is incredible comedic chops. People loved him in ‘There’s Something About Mary’—he is unbelievably funny in that film.”

Dillon says he got a kick out of the physical comedy scenes. “The script had Barry just firing at the skeet in a typical way, but our director added a layer by having Barry shoot cowboy-style from the hip. It’s probably what makes the scene so ridiculous,” he says.

Dillon’s next film “Armored” tells of the perfect crime—victimless, nonviolent and undetectable—that goes terribly awry. A crew of armored truck guards executes a meticulously planned robbery of their own security firm, but when their seemingly foolproof plan unravels, the men turn against each other as they desperately try to save themselves.

Dillon plays Bill Cochrane, the senior officer on the truck. “Cochrane is definitely the big dog in the room,” says screenwriter James V. Simpson. “Everybody respects and trusts him. But in private, he always felt there were great opportunities that lay just beyond his grasp. He’s worked hard all his life. He’s always followed the rules. And now he feels like life is about to pass him by.”

Dillon was attracted by the film’s unique premise, as well as his character’s complexity and contradictions. “I liked the relationship he had with Ty, played by Columbus Short,” says the actor. “Ty’s father was his mentor and he has become Ty’s. That lays down the foundation for what is to come later on in the story.”

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, “Old Dogs” opens across the Philippines on January 20, while “Armored” — distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International – follows in February.