I don't just like to have 1 take, but not too many. I think it is good to keep it alive.

America's been very, very good to me. I've been very lucky and worked a lot there, and appreciate and love the work that I've done.

Very often on films, even without a producer credit, I'll be involved, very early on. I want to be there as the thing is taking shape.

When you're doing those operation scenes, you not only have to be on top of the dialogue and the rhythm of the dialogue and what's happening dramatically, but you've got to technically get the rhythm right, so that everything is fitting with the dialogue at the right time. And you're performing the operation to the audience that's watching it. Thackery has to present it, as well. In some ways, that's the most challenging.

When I was younger, people used to say you only really prove yourself as an actor on stage. And I disagree with that. Some of the finest acting I've ever come across has been for film.

Action scenes are not that different from other scenes.

I had to ride a horse once. In 'King Arthur.' I said I could ride, but I had to call for lessons on the day the deal was signed. I started out on this little chunky thing and slowly moved up. It was months of work.