“Well, it was interesting because when I was going to do it the first time in my head was Leonardo DiCaprio [for Chris] and Marlon Brando was going to play the character that Hal Holbrook eventually played. But then when it wasn't to be and there was no promise that it ever would be I think some part of me didn't want to attach specifics to it anymore - actors or anything else - because I wanted to see it made that much more badly.” ThinkingWantFirstsWellsMadePlayCharacterWould BeWantedActorsInterestingPromiseFirst TimeLeonardoBrandoSpecifics Author:Sean Penn
“The heartbreak that it might not happen wasn't something that I wanted to face with any more weight. Then, when I got the call to go ahead I never thought for a second as I was approaching it who I would get - that would come later. Again, I think the idea was that I now had the rights to make the movie and I can start writing it but if I have to wait another 10 years before I find an actor that's right for it, I'd be very happy to do that.” IfsThinkingWritingYearsHeartI CanIdeasMightHappensWantedFacesActorsWaitingRightsWeightVery Happy Author:Sean Penn
“The advice you give to young directors for sure is to go out and become some version of a successful movie actor. Do that first and say yes to people like Terrence Malick and Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen when they come and offer you movies. It's a great front row seat to filmmaking.” PeopleGivingFirstsYoungActorsSuccessfulAdviceFrontsOffersDirectorsVersionsSeatsFilmmakingWoodyMovie Actors Author:Sean Penn
“I don't have any particular excitement about working with any specific director or actor at this point.” ActorsParticularDirectorsExcitement Author:Sean Penn
“I think that I've still not been successful at playing the role of the retired actor, and I'd like to work on that.” ThinkingStillsActorsRolesSuccessfulRetired Author:Sean Penn
“I'll tell you what I probably would prefer to happen less and less: actors that I know and respect in shampoo ads. Or modeling.” KnowsHappensActorsAdsModelingShampoo Author:Sean Penn
“In between, I go broke because I seem to do movies where you're not paid a lot as an actor.” SeemsActorsPaidBroke Author:Sean Penn
“You're always having to live more to fuel something new. It's an obligation to yourself and to the audience. The personal baggage that comes with being a known actor just adds to that struggle.” ActorsKnownAudienceStruggleAddObligationFuelSomething NewBaggage Author:Sean Penn
“I can make a better living as an actor than I can as a director. Though I certainly would prefer to be directing movies.” I CanActorsDirectorsDirecting Movies Author:Sean Penn
