There's so much in the 21st century that is stymied by bureaucracy and mediocrity and committee.

I'm always playing characters with intellects profoundly superior to mine. That's great fun, even though it's as much a fantasy for me as for the people watching me.

I've never been front and centre as an iconic American character [like in Doctor Strange]. Day to day, you know you're painting on a very big canvas.

There was a moment of extraordinary humbleness and humility and pride, as well, with my father when he turned to me - and I think it was after I played Salieri in "Amadeus" at university. And he said, You're better than I ever was or ever could be, you should do this for profession. You'd have a good time.

I've always wanted to play a spy, because it is the ultimate acting exercise. You are never what you seem.

I think anyone who works in medicine has superpowers.

I never really got obsessed about one thing for long. I was a bit of a butterfly and a magpie.