When you make a movie it's always interesting, because you end up in places you never would as a normal visitor or tourist.

[Having monologue] are talking to somebody even if it's just to yourself, convince yourself if that's what you're trying to do.

I was first introduced to August Wilson in the 80s when Charles Dutton did Ma Rainey and James Earl Jones and Courtney Vance did Fences. I've long considered August Wilson to be one of the five greatest playwrights in American history.

If it ain't on a page, it ain't on a stage.

Fall forward. Here's what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out 2,600 times in his career - the most in the history of baseball. But you don't hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs. Fall forward. Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn't either - because number 1,001 was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.

Growing up I didn't watch movies.

Hate put me in prison. Love's gonna bust me out.