I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the thirties and two of those people are still alive and we put them on tape on the film and I'm sure that will be added to the DVD, and to get the opportunity to do that is very cool.

Cats are too independent. They piss me off. They play when they want, and then they turn their back on you. Dogs, you throw the ball, and they bring it back, tongue hanging out, tail wagging. Cats are like "Not right now, too busy." Definitely a dog man. Except when it comes to cleaning up after them! Cats win that!

I try to encourage actors to work harder off screen because that's where you find things.

To protect the sheep, you gotta catch the wolf. And it takes a wolf to catch a wolf, you understand?

I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.

When I did A Soldier's Story, I was very young and green and thought I knew everything-now I know I know everything!

[Fences] is just a great play to bring to the screen.