I can rely on me [being a director], unlike some actors. I never got anything less than what I needed from the lead actor.

If you grow up ... in the suburbs of anywhere, a dream like this seems kind of vaguely ludicrous and completely unattainable, this moment is directly connected to those childhood imaginings. And for anybody who's on the downside of advantage, and relying purely on courage, it's possible.

I'd like to play passionate women, but no one will let me.

Once you're a parent, male or female, every single thing that happens in your life is seen through the prism of being a parent.

People accuse me of being arrogant all the time. I'm not arrogant, I'm focused.

From an over-arching point-of-view, in war there is heroism on both sides. Obviously, the victor gets the spoils, the victor gets to write history, but there's heroism and compassion on both sides, and to me that's very important.

I'm sick to death of famous people standing up and using their celebrity to promote a cause. If I see a particular need, I do try to help. But there's a lot that can be achieved by putting a cheque in the right place and shutting up about it.