There are lots of things I could have done for the money, but I've made a great living doing the things I want to do.

My advice to anyone adapting a novel is that once they've read it and learnt to understand it, then they must throw it away and never look at it again!

I resent the creation of a world in which beauty is a reminder of what we're losing rather than a celebration of what we have.

Leaders should never, ever try to look cool - that's for dictators

Comedy will always be central to what I do, it's just an instinct for me, but I am a writer and always have been.

This calls for a very special blend of psychology and extreme violence.

No collection of people who are all waiting for the same thing are capable of holding a natural conversation. Even if the thing they are waiting for is only a taxi.