When I'm casting a picture, I think who I'd like to see in it if I was sitting in a theater. Who would surprise me?

That's what I love about Michael Douglas' performance in Wonder Boys, because I feel like he surprises audiences that know him from very different roles in his other work.

You can dress it up, but it comes down to the fact that a movie is only as good as its script.

We're not used to seeing movies, especially with physical action, when it isn't the man who comes in to save the day.

I make that distinction only because I came to it strictly as someone who was just a lover of storytellers and cinematic storytellers.

Initially, it connected with me when I was a kid, seeing a lot of movies while growing up in Los Angeles. And Sam's [Fuller] pictures are an expression of such a distinct voice that he was one of those filmmakers who made me aware that there was, in fact, a real presence behind the camera that was telling the story, as opposed to actors just presenting it.

The challenge was the opportunity. When I read the first draft of Steve Kloves' fabulous adaptation - I hadn't read [Michael] Chabon's book at that time - what I was immediately captivated by was this group of characters that were at once so engaging and so messed up.