(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Justin Timberlake says working with Olivia Wilde in their recent movie was "much easier" than being slapped "over and over" in their previous film.

The pair appear in new thriller In Time, which also stars Amanda Seyfried.

The science-fiction movie is set in the future where people stop ageing at 25 and must work to buy themselves more time.

Olivia plays Justin's mother in the movie, and says their on-screen relationship was much less difficult than previous roles.

"Olivia and I had worked together before on Alpha Dog. Olivia was required to slap me over and over again, and I had to hold her down. So this was much easier than that!" he quipped in an interview with Total Film.

"Olivia was a great mom! She did a great job."

Justin's character Will finds himself with more time in the movie and must run from the corrupt police force to save his life.

Justin doesn't consider himself or his character to be a hero though.

"I don't think I'm an action hero by any means," he said. "Will's an everyday man. He's street smart, he knows how to stay alive, and he's spent his whole life doing that." (C) Cover Media