Q: Marvin's Room opens soon in Japan, and then at the end of the year, Titanic. Is this your first BIG-budget movie?
A: No, I wouldn't say that. It may be the biggest budget. So far.
Q: How does it differ, working in a big budget film from a smaller one?
A: The food isn't as good when the budget's low! I think salary. And who else is in it. Some stars demand a terrific salary. If they're in a flick, the budget's automatically big. Either way, for me it's hard work.
Q: Why did you choose Titanic?
A: Seems like a good idea at the time. James Cameron (the director) is a cool guy, he's done cool stuff, and it's a cool love story.
Q: Can you tell me about Kate your co-star?
A: Yeah. She's a real good actress and she's real cool, and I like her.
Q: The last survivor from the Titanic disaster died recently. Did you speak about him during filming?
A: You mean that one old lady? Not really. She was a teenager or a kid when it happened. Her father died, and she and her mother were in a rowboat, getting rescued. So they saw him and everyone else drowning.
Q: You were with Kristine Zang at the Romeo and Juliet premiere. Can you tell us who she is? Supposedly your romance with her is creating a stir among your fans?
A: Really? That's cool. Well, we're going out together, and she's real cool, but it's not...for keeps. We're staying cool about it.
Q: Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton praised your acting in Marvin's Room. How does that make you feel?
A: It's fantastic, but it's not a surprise to me. They're both real cool people. They're big talents, but they're not stuck on themselves, they're real generous in their praise. When I felt I was getting their respect, it felt fantastic. I don't think they always give it, especially Meryl, but she's real cool. They act real young.
Q: What particular roles do you want to play?
A: Write me a good one, and I'll tell you. I just want to have new challenges. I like challenges. I feel I can rise to them, and I can sense how I'm better at this (acting) than I was two or three years ago, and it's a progressive thing.
Q: And what actors or directors would you like to work with?
A: Directors who let me explore a role on my own. I think a director who's a frustrated actor is boring to work with; some directors think you work for them. I don't like that kind. If a director's also an actor, he probably knows you have to find the character for yourself. Other directors just hand you a script, tell you where to enter and where to go, that's it. Which is better than the other sort, but it's an empty experience. Mostly I want to be guided along a bit by good directors who aren't afraid to take chances and do new things.
Q: When did you decide to be an actor and why?
A: It was a long time ago. It's no special deal. Like everyone else, I grew up on TV and I thought I could probably do it too, and then I got some opportunities, and I went with it. It's a lazy way out, in a way. It's not a career choice for which you have to go for a major education and the money's way over that the effort is.
Q: Some teen actors don't remain adult actors. Does that worry you?
A: Not so far. Not by the things I'm offered. If I'm washed up by 30, then that's that. Still, there's always a chance of a comeback.
Q: What do you think you'll be doing 30 years from now?
A: Having plastic surgery! Or recovering from it. How would I know? That's so far from now... even if I'm alive, I mean. If I'm still an actor, that means I can stay an actor for life, and that's lucky. If I'm in good health, that's cool. If I look good-if I even have my own hair...I don't even want to think about that!
Q: It's said you do imitations of people. Do you have any new impressions you do, and who's your favorite impression?
A: I do Jack Nicholson pretty good. So do lots of other guys. I know one girl who does him great,and she also does Carol Channing, the old actress from Hello Dolly. I tried to imitate Tom Cruise, but he's hard to do.
Q: What would you like to take with you, to a deserted island?
A: Good food. A gun. CDs and a CD-player. Video, all that. This is too much stuff. Cyanide, in case I met up with hostile natives or cannibals. Are there still cannibals anywhere?
Q: What about another person?
A: I don't think some remote island or something is the ideal circumstance for romance. I mean, if you're in that theoretical situation, you're already busy enough just trying to take care of your needs and staying alive.
Q: What is your favorite kind of music?
A: Soothing. I like rock, I like some groups...but I don't have any big favorites I'm gonna plug.
Q: What brand of clothing do you prefer?
A: Comfortable. I mean, Armani's cool-he's comfortable, he looks good, everyone wears Armani. But it's not my thing-like I have to be seen in Armani. What's the use of all that? Some people look lousy no matter what they wear. It's more important to look good, then the clothes won't matter so much.
Q: Did you like working with Claire Danes in Romeo and Juliet?
A: She's great. Real cool, good Juliet, that movie was wild-when you see it, it's a real trip.
Q: Apparently Natalie Portman tested with you for Juliet but lost.
A: They thought she was too young, or looked too young. I can sympathize with that.
