I think it's really great to be able to stick with a character for a long period of time. It's not like you have one shot, and that's it.

I guess I'm a workaholic!

It's Aslan, the lion from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. It's a symbol of my hellish childhood. I struggled through my oppressive teenage years and when I turned 18 I escaped. Like Aslan I was finally free.

When I was a little girl - well, like, a teenager - I wanted to be Sam Jackson. I always wanted to be men.

I don't think I like characters who are afraid and ashamed of who they are.

That worries me an awful lot. If people misunderstand our intentions [in Black Snake Moan], especially regarding my character, then they're essentially exploiting an already exploited and abused woman. So it's a huge concern for me.

People feel like they have to live up to being perfect or have a perfect life or be perfectly happy, and it just makes them more unhappy.