There's no room for being a visionary in the studio system. It literally cannot exist.

When you're working with the best of the best, I'm not gonna put that on hold so I can work with people who studied the best of the best.

Adversity has a way of introducing a man to himself.

Sometimes perception is almost more important than the skill level of an actor. And if you give too much away, you have nothing to take for yourself and put onscreen. If people feel like they know you too well, they won't be able to indentify with the character you're trying to portray. Or they'll feel that you're just playing yourself, and then you just become a personality actor. And that's the death of any actor.

Have you ever noticed how most critics disagree with the public? That should tell you a lot about critics.

If you asked an 18-year-old what they want to do with their life, and the options are 'Transformers' or Lars von Trier, he's probably shipping out for 'Transformers.' If you ask a 26-year-old what he wants to do, 'Transformers' or Lars von Trier, he'd probably pick Lars von Trier. So, my sensibilities are changing as I change.

I come from divorce. I'm only doing marriage once. It's not a game for me.