In an industry known for its array of eccentric personalities, it takes a lot to earn the label "unconventional." But I can't think of a more apt description of acclaimed actor Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash). Few other actors working today can take a standard interview question and expound on the intricacies of electrical currents, Fibonacci sequences and alternate realities, as Howard often does. That quality, combined with his piercing green eyes and the longest fingernails I've seen on a man this side of Howard Hughes, strikes a truly intriguing profile.

Howard's latest film, Pride, is loosely based on the true story of Jim Ellis, an African-American who founded a premier swimming academy in one of Philadelphia's poorest neighborhoods in the early 1970s.

Part of what attracted Howard to Pride was its unique storyline -- about a team of African-American swimmers -- coupled with familiar themes. "This film is the first of its kind, as far as I'm aware," says Howard, "but it's very similar to any coaching film. It's very similar to any film about a father, because that's what a coach is. He's a person that's motivating the children within his household...Jim's household seems to be infinite, because his love is."

Howard spent a significant amount of time with the real Jim Ellis, admiring his unique approach to coaching young swimmers. "He teaches you not to fight the water," says Howard. "90% of you are made up of that water. So the same way that you can tell the 90% that's in your hand, you can tell that water to move for you. Just tap it; don't push it. Gently ask it to go somewhere."

As far as his own craft is concerned, Howard continually looks for more opportunities to expand his horizons. "I'm limited only by my experience and understanding," explains Howard. "The more I seek out to understand, the more I can put into a character. That's why some of the craziest actors are some of the best actors -- people that have had the most traumatic experiences in their lives, they're able to relate to more experiences and can translate that to the rest of the world."

"All the greatest actors I know...are all metaphysically inclined, are all spiritually oriented," he adds. "You have to have all of those gifts to be able to translate that to someone else."

For his next project, Howard delves into the world of comic books with the highly-anticipated Iron Man. "I don't start (shooting) until the 28th," says Howard, "but on the 12th of this month I get to go to Las Vegas with the United States Air Force and fly in F-15s for about two weeks -- simulated battles, land on aircraft carriers, I get to do it all."

Howard plays Jim Rhodes, fighter pilot and best buddy of billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), aka Iron Man. "In the next one they make a suit for me and I become 'War Machine,'" he says, "so I'm a sidekick."

Pride opens nationwide Friday, March 23rd.

Check out ReelzChannel.com's Pride page for clips from the film and more!