I think any role you need to play not so much transforms but I like to think of it as understanding the psychology of another character.

I think I'm much less self confident today. I actually went through a quite painful period because of that thinking that I was completely hopeless. But I think that's something that we all go through at various times of our lives and it was quite a sustained thing with me.

People are more likely to pass me on the street without recognizing me, and that's good.

There's nothing like being on a massive-budget film where you don't know anything, and there's a million people, and no one's communicating.

When you're a kid you have this sense of wonder and wholeness and a strong sense of your own identity.

Having agreed to play Elrond, I realized how much had to be worked out about this character: the idea of portraying someone who is immortal, for one thing; plus the fact he is noble, wise, powerful, good - and beautiful! I began to think that he was altogether impossible to play!

If the script grabs me and appeals to me, I'm really very keen to work on it.