Richard Attenborough Quotes

I think I was first choice for the part. I don't know - that's what they always tell you anyway. I didn't have to do any audition for the part. Sam saw me in Dinner and the whole thing slipped into place.

I read for 'Reservoir Dogs,' and it got down to me and Buscemi, and Quentin couldn't make up his mind. I really wanted that part, but Buscemi is great in that. I also got really close on 'Gladiator,' but Ridley Scott decided on Russell Crowe, who's perfect in it.

It's my job in Hollywood to find roles where I get to be a character not a bathing suit.

I was one of the first actors in London to be seen for Frodo ten years ago. I didn't get it, obviously. The right size, but too handsome, apparently.

The character in 'Arya' was so close to my real life persona. The director saw me once and felt I was the right guy for the role because my body language was so flamboyant. In real life, too, I am very peppy and full of life.

I would love to act in films if people think I am right for a particular role.

In films and TV, actors get chosen based on their capabilities, charisma and the image they carry.

I would love to be in a biopic, but I'm not looking at being a part of Bolywood.

The first director I ever worked with on 'Thrones,' he had a big hand in casting me. He said he cast me because there was a bit of an Alec Guinness about me, but a very dangerous Alec Guinness.

I was utilized because I have a certain face that works well in cinema, and I'm used to making myself look as good as possible.

There were certain films where I went, 'Oh, my God, I'm doing a movie.'

Everybody reads for me. I was never weird about that. I never minded coming in and reading. They should know if I'm the right person, and I should know if I want to do a movie.

When a subject pops into a director's head, you either fit in there somewhere, or you don't. An actor is only who he is. Especially as you get older, there's not as much of a range of potentially feasible parts.

I used to play a lot of foreign women in my youth because I was prettier then. I would go for interviews, and directors would look at these sultry, exotic looks, hear this clipped accent and think the two don't go together. So they would give me a foreign accent.

I don't get called very often to play innocents.

Once you don't smile on film, they say, 'Let's have that bloke who doesn't smile.'

I don't exactly set out to only play creepy characters, it's just that a lot of those roles come my way.

I do always feel very proud and flattered by being asked to be a part of American productions playing American characters.

I knew I was a good stage actor but I had no idea about movies. And I wasn't a Paul Newman type of guy. That's why I thought the stage is just right for me.

In 'Rocky' and 'Paradise Alley,' my dad played very expressive characters, and he was out there.

Danny DeVito later told me that he knew he wanted me for 'Matilda' the second I walked in the door. I'm not sure if this is true, or if he was just being nice, but I was thrilled when I got it.

They haven't said it, but let's be clear: I would never have been on the list for James Bond, so I'm not labouring under that misapprehension.

I play characters that allow me to do lot more than just be a glamorous heroine.

Chris McQuarrie cast me in 'Mission Impossible' because he'd seen 'The Crown' and loved it.

I would do more film roles if I am invited.