Djimon Hounsou stars with Leonardo DiCaprio in the African drama Blood Diamond, now playing. The film explores the trade in diamonds used to prop up tyrannical regimes.

HOLLYWOOD -- A heroic act has made Leonardo DiCaprio the king of Djimon Hounsou's world.

According to Hounsou, who teams with DiCaprio in the African-set thriller Blood Diamond, the Titanic superstar intervened when an armed local came gunning for his co-star.

"Somebody threatened to shoot me at a place in South Africa," Hounsou recalls.

"(DiCaprio) said, 'You're going to have to go through me because I know this guy and I'm sure he didn't do anything wrong to you.' "

Before backing off, the unidentified man -- whose motives remain a mystery to this day -- revealed his gun to DiCaprio, telling the star that " 'We don't do things like you do in Hollywood -- bling bling. Here, it's bling pow,' " Hounsou says.

Afterwards, DiCaprio incorporated the incident into the film. Early on, his character, a South African mercenary, tells an idealistic journalist (Jennifer Connelley) that while it's all about bling bling in the U.S., here in Africa it's "bling bang."

Hounsou portrays a fisherman separated from his family amid the civil war and corruption of 1990s Sierra Leone. His only chance at being reunited with his wife and children is to partner with DiCaprio and locate a coveted pink diamond.

Considering DiCaprio's off-screen actions, it's hardly a shock to learn the two performers bonded during the physically demanding production.

"Djimon and I became really close over the course of making this movie," says DiCaprio, who didn't discuss the incident with the armed man. "It's going to be a lasting friendship for me."

Echoes Hounsou, "Leo will hopefully be a longtime friend."

Not that the threat to his life was the only difficulty they encountered. As Hounsou puts it, "If you weren't in shape before, you will be by the end, because no matter who goes to Africa or what for, Africa demands so much of you ... Many of us got hurt making the film. I busted my knee. Leo busted his knee; he had to go to the hospital and he came back like a champion, completely banged up. He did what we had to do to finish this film."

Born in Cotonou, Benin, Hounsou immigrated to Paris when he was 14 with his brother.

While living on the streets, he was discovered by a fashion designer. That led to a modelling career which, in turn, led him to acting and, eventually, a starring role in Steven Spielberg's Amistad.

Since then he has appeared in such films as The Island and In America, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

Despite his success, Africa has never left his thoughts, he says, making Blood Diamond an intensely personal undertaking.

"A major Hollywood studio taking this on was a blessing. It is a challenging story in so many areas. It was a very powerful story for me. Being an African and being in Hollywood making movies, it's the kind of story I hope will bring more awareness to the world."

Awareness, specifically, of conflict diamonds -- stones which are smuggled out of countries to profit warlords and arms dealers against a backdrop of ever-escalating bloodshed.

Blood Diamond director Edward Zwick (Glory) goes so far as to include an epilogue prior to the closing credits encouraging consumers to ensure the diamonds they purchase are legitimate.

Although the film has sparked controversy -- and the predictable ire of the diamond industry -- Hounsou emphasizes the filmmakers aren't calling for a boycott. "I personally love diamonds. We're certainly not discouraging people to buy diamonds ...I think we have a responsibility as people, as citizens of this world, to do what is necessary."

While DiCaprio is already being touted as a possible Oscar contender for Diamond, Hounsou's performance is just as memorable and certainly worthy of similar consideration.

Could the two fast friends be pitted against each other at Oscar time?

Not likely -- DiCaprio will be pushed in the lead category while Hounsou, despite the fact his role is as substantial as DiCaprio's, will likely be promoted for a supporting nod.

While such political wranglings might miff some actors, it suits Hounsou just fine.

"I don't want to go against my buddy DiCaprio."

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