Hedda Hopper was a better direct opponent to [Dalton] Trumbo. We wanted to use Trumbo's battles to represent the larger battles, so the audience could understand the personal sacrifice he went through and the personal damage to his family. The choices were about who were the best representations of his antagonists, which is why we chose as we did.

When I'm shooting, really the audience I'm thinking the hardest about is that first test screening audience who I want to like the film and that first opening weekend audience.

I think sequels should be earned and we won't do it unless the script is better than the first one.

For Bryan [Cranston ] to go back in time and become this larger-than-life and somewhat theatrical guy, who performed his ideas and rhetoric in public in a melodic and flashy way, was a bit of a risk.

I think we'll all keep pushing each other, which is a great thing.

Even modern wars are fought like revenge tales from some petty grievance.

People have an actual bias against there being some kind of popularity for political films, and when they get acknowledged, it helps keep the conversation going.