The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people, to present them with something they didn't expect.

The saddest country I went to was Romania, years ago, during Ceausescu's rule.

I was once asked what I thought was the most disquieting thing you could see on the screen and I said, "An open door".

When I first read Lord of the Rings I wanted to see a film of it. But at that time the technology wasn't there, there was no such thing as CGI.

Films are now made by accountants. They pick a pretty young female or male face out of the air and give them a part - not because they think that person is right for it or is ready for it, but because they think that person will make them money.

I have been metal all my life, only I did not know about it. The people in this album (Charlemagne) and I, share the same values.

To be a legend, you've either got to be dead or excessively old.