I wanted to do another movie that could make us laugh and cry and feel good about the world. I wanted to do something else that could make us smile. This is a time when we need to smile more and Hollywood movies are supposed to do that for people in difficult times.

There were so many odd, strange things about Abraham Lincoln that I think nobody knew how to pigeonhole him.

And I may often question choices I make as a producer. But I've never questioned the choices I make as a director.

I am a very impatient director.

I even get inspired by movies that aren't very good, because there's always something good in movies that are collectively thought of as a failure. There's good in everything, I find.

I'd rather direct than produce. Any day. And twice on Sunday.

The Japanese had a very strong belief in Bushido, death before dishonour. They were fighting for their country; they were the aggressors in World War II.