I do like to make films with a political theme, but sometimes it's nice simply to make people laugh. That's the hardest thing to do in fact.

I was a very earnest, hard working boy at school, but my parents were distressed because I was always bottom of the class. But I wasn't dilatory, I worked like crazy.

I'm very competitive. I just go with what engages or fascinates me in my work and that's it. I have no definition; I just love to do it.

If I have to, I'll go and direct theater and talk till the cows come home.

Usually, when special effects get in the way, it's because the story isn't strong enough. If you don't start with a strong screenplay, it's easy to fall back on special effects, thinking it's going to carry you. But it never works. It's just tiresome.

I'm just trying to think what other sequels there were. There was the James Bond movies and not many. I think sequels have become a recent idea of franchising.

I think if I'm going to do a science fiction, I'm going to go down a new path that I want to do.