When I was a kid going to the movies, we'd go because Bogart was in the movie, or Cagney, or John Wayne. We didn't know what the story was about or anything.

I think first impressions are important when you pick up a script.

I read the script and try not to bring anything personal into it. I make notes, talk to the director and we decide what kinds of shades should be in the character.

In a sense, all actors are character actors, because we're all playing different characters. But a lot of the time - and I don't know, because I'm not a writer - but writers a lot of times write second- and third-tier characters better than they write primary characters. I guess they're more fun.

Do whatever you're directed to do, and leave the rest of that technical stuff up to the director.

I have a home in Arizona. I go a couple months a year, but basically Chicago is my home.

Writer-directors are a little bit more liberal, rather than having just the writer on the set, because I think sometimes the writer becomes too precious with the words. If you're a writer-director, you can see what you're doing and see your work in action, so I think you can correct it right there and still not compromise yourself.

I don't like to be talked into anything. I don't want to be cajoled.

I love England and the historical aspect of it.

You cant act for the editing. You just go in and do the scene the way you think is right.

There's a whole catalogue of actors that never went to acting school.

I've tried writing. Two days later I'd go visit it and say, Jesus Christ, who wrote this crap?