The thing that I'm just scared to death of is that someday I'm going to wake up and bore somebody with a film.

I don't want to quit. I've always said that Clint Eastwood is one of my best friends. I've known Clint for many years and we have almost a jokey relationship about retirement. I always say: "OK Clint, are you ready to retire this year?" And he always says: "No, are you?" So, I'm waiting for the phone call where Clint says he's hanging up his spurs. That's never going to happen. If it doesn't happen for Clint, it won't happen for me.

I like the smell of film. I just like knowing there's film going through the camera.

Whether in success or in failure, I'm proud of every single movie I've ever directed.

Most of my presumptions about a production are usually wrong.

Remember, science fiction's always been the kind of first level alert to think about things to come. It's easier for an audience to take warnings from sci-fi without feeling that we're preaching to them. Every science fiction movie I have ever seen, any one that's worth its weight in celluloid, warns us about things that ultimately come true.

I think Lincoln had a unique parenting style. He let his kids run free and wild.