I had always planned when I started directing in 1970 that after a few years I'd get tired of looking at myself on the screen and say: "Hey, let's not do that any more." But then every once in a while something pops up. I'm not saying it won't happen again but probably the odds get less as you set yourself for roles that fit your age group.

Politicians have to make unpopular decisions. Schwarzenegger is going to understand the nature of his job. I wish him good luck, he's going to need it. It's going to be difficult for him.

It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.

You have to steal a lot. You have to have a criminal mentality to be a film director.

You spend your life training to be an actor, observing people's characteristics so that you can design characters around what you've seen.

I don't believe in pessimism.

I always like to try different things, different genres; stories that have a dramatic element and can generate conflict which I find appealing; where the characters have to overcome obstacles. That kind of thing is challenging.