Which character in Day Zero do you most identify with?
Dixon.
Meaning you're that patriotic?
You know, patriotic is a weird word. There's many kinds of patriotism. It doesn't mean that you have to be a hawk, you know? That you have to be pro-war. I think that Dixon isn't necessarily pro-war. I think he's pro-responsibility, pro-duty. He thinks, as I do, that this country affords many people a lifestyle that other places and other people in the world could only dream of. Unfortunately, there's not much that this country asks of us, and I think we…sometimes get caught up with being as comfortable as possible and don't think about any sort of the responsibilities we have to the environment or to our neighbors around the world. I think [Dixon's] conviction is something that I aspire toward.
What was it like working with Elijah Wood [Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings]?
Oh man, it was terrific. Elijah's the most professional person I've ever come around. He works incredibly hard. He's incredibly positive. I'm kind of a slob. I just could not believe the way he took care of his costume. He was just such a consummate professional. He was such a joy to have on set. In the beginning of that process, he was really the heart and soul of everything. He just kind of inspired everyone to work the longer hours.
We had no money, so we were up all night, you know, out in the cold and the rain a lot of the time. I know it's "boo-hoo," these actors, right? I know it's all ridiculous, but at the end of the day it was so great to see a bona fide movie star so incredibly down to earth…always has time for a guy on the street, you know? And just never a bit of negativity from him. He was an inspiration.
What projects are you working on now?
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