As a filmmaker, "no" is not in my vocabulary. I've got to figure out a way.

Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not once but twice.

Look at Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster: It's an incredible performance.

I also know what looks good before the camera, how to move the camera, and how to get a story on the screen.

Russell Crowe is very difficult, but it's worth it. He's the real thing. I can tell you this. Russell Crowe was just as difficult before he was an international star as he was afterwards.

As a filmmaker, "no" is not in my vocabulary. I've got to figure out a way.

My creative partner is a writer, and he's got an executive producing credit on this film. We've made three films together and I would never underestimate the impact of a writer.