I got into [producing] to be part of stories that wouldn't necessarily be right for me as an actor.

What occurred to me on [‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’], and also with the passing of her mother, is that there's going to come a time when I'm not going to get to be with this person anymore. I'm not going to get to be with my children anymore. Or friends, people I love and respect. And so, if we have a flare-up, it evaporates now. I don't want to waste time being angry at someone I love.

Fatherhood is the best thing I ever did. It changes your perspective. You can write a book, you can make a movie, you can paint a painting, but having kids is really the most extraordinary thing I have taken on.

My main concern is quality and I think there is quality to be found in all categories of filmmaking.

Success is a beast. And it actually puts the emphasis on the wrong thing. You get away with more instead of looking within.

Fame is a Bleet, man.

What's valuable to me has become clearer as I've got older. To me, it's about the value of your time and your day and the value of the people you spend it with.