When cinematographer Guillermo Navarro won the Academy Award in 2006 for his work on the dark fantasy film “Pan’s Labyrinth,” it was only the second time in the history of the awards that a foreign language film with English subtitles earned the distinction.

“‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ is one of the best movies I’ve done,” Navarro told EXTRA during a phone interview to discuss his new project, the sci-fi action film “I Am Number Four.” “I think it’s going to be a movie that stays in people’s minds for a very long time.”

Since winning the illustrious Oscar five years ago, Navarro, whose work also includes “Desperado,” “Jackie Brown,” and “Hellboy,” says he has been searching for projects that will allow him to develop a parallel reality from scratch.

“I want to design and create images as opposed to working on a contemporary piece where realities exist right outside your window and all you have to do is register them,” Navarro explained. “A movie like ‘I Am Number Four’ offers that to me.”

During our interview, Navarro, 55, talked about his intrigue with the moving picture, how his home country of México helped develop his professional drive, and whether he thinks audiences today appreciate exactly what a cinematographer contributes to a film.

EXTRA: You’ve worked with Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez on more than one occasion. Does the director you will work with have anything to do with making a decision on what project to work on next?

Guillermo Navarro: The decision to work with specific directors has to do with the project. In the case of [Guillermo del Toro] we had a very long relationship. I believe in him as a filmmaker. He is a very visual director and someone that understands the contribution that ...