I truly think any preparation you do only helps and adds dimension and complexity to the work [as an actor].

Chris Hemsworth is like Christopher Reeve in that he can do two things: he can wear a big red cape without a shred of self-consciousness. But he's also funny as hell, and he's so sweet. So with all the fish-out-of-water stuff, he's so funny. So he does almost two jobs in a way.

The dream is to keep surprising yourself, never mind the audience.

Without revealing too much, there's a specific skill set you need to be in Loki's army - let me know if you have the qualifications.

All acting is an act of imagination. You are simply conjuring up imaginary circumstances in your mind and responding truthfully to them.

I am desperate to do a comedy now.

I did a production of 'Journey's End,' an RC Sherriff play about World War I, at the Edinburgh Festival. I was 18 and it was the first time that people I knew and loved and respected came up to me after the show and said, 'You know, you could really do this if you wanted to.'