For 'Hidalgo,' I just spent as much time around horses as I could, which made sense.

You see people on the street yelling and think they're crazy, but maybe they're just happy and expressing what they feel at all times.

I don't speak up about something unless I feel strongly about it and until I've researched a subject extensively and have an informed decision about it.

When I make a movie, I don't break it down and analyze it. I could but it would get in the way of doing a job - on instinct based on all the research we did going in. you want to trust yourself and your director and your acting partners in the circumstances you're shooting. I don't like to have any kind of overview.

I realise how important it is to use the time I have. I respect people who want to do that by watching television. I happen to want to read books. But I know I can't read all the books or watch all the movies in one lifetime.

I'm optimistic about people and about the planet and about nature. I think it's resilient, like people are.

In the end, the actor's main power is the power to say, 'No.'