If you want to learn about America, watch The Wire. Its a profound piece of entertainment.

As much as possible, I try to encourage people to use stunt men because that is really their job.

I think you need brains to do any Shakespeare with any authority. I could do Shakespeare, but not with any authority.

Nobody knows who Barry Crump is, anywhere, but in New Zealand he's huge. I am of that age, where I sort of grew up with Barry Crump books. Look, if you read the book, you realize it is actually not a funny book at all.

Try and fit in in a New Zealand playground with an Armagh accent - it doesn't work.

This was only Taika Watiti fourth film [Hunt for the Wilderpeople], but I think he brings a very original way of looking at stuff and I think if you look at Boy, for instance, which is a beautiful film, that was his second feature, and it's heartbreakingly sad, but it's also simultaneously very funny. There are not many people who can do that.

I understand acting and I understand actors. I don't really understand the world of celebrity. That's just bizarre. Those sorts of elements I'm at sea with.