Q: You must have been pretty excited when you found out you were going to be in Tim Burton's re-imaginative take on Planet of the Apes. What was going through your mind when you found you got the part?
A: I was a happy camper. I met Tim Burton a few days before I got the call and I told him that I was willing to do just about anything to get the role. Let's put it this way, I did almost everything but beg. Burton is just one of those guys you want to work with no matter what. There was no script, nothing. I knew exactly what I was going to be in for and I couldn't wait. It really was a chance of a lifetime.

Q: I know that this film is not the same as the original, but you were taking on a role that Charlton Heston made famous. Were you intimidated at all?
A: I wasn't. I really never thought about it. Tim thought that I was the right guy so that was enough for me. That was all I really needed was his faith and belief that I could do a good job.

Q: You actually got to meet Charlton Heston who has a small role in this film. What was it like for you to meet him and talk to him about the film?
A: Oh it was great. You know I had made a comment about Heston actually being forced into it by George Clooney, the troublemaker, and then Heston was asked about it in an interview and then responded, so I thought it may have been a little weird meeting him. But when I saw him he really was very nice. It was an honour to meet him.

Q: What was it like working on this set? Here you are working with fellow actors that are completely done up in ape make-up and did you feel at all guilty that you didn't have to put any on?
A: I acted like I felt guilty, that's for sure, but I didn't feel guilty. I didn't envy them at all, until I actually saw the movie. Then I realized, because I'm not in make-up, and I play a role that I felt was a tricky part to play, I had to be very careful and was very limited in the things that I could do. They had so much room to play with in this makeup. But I wasn't envious during the process. They were there at two in the morning and I'd roll in at 7:30am and be ready by a quarter to eight eating breakfast. No, they had it tough. I didn't give them a hard time or anything because throughout the whole movie these guys are kicking the crap out of me, so they didn't need my sympathy.

Q: Yes, it was a very physical film. You did get kicked around a lot. I was surprised that you weren't bruised and busted up.
A: Well I got banged around a lot but nothing too serious. Tim Burton was actually injured the worst. He broke a rib trying to demonstrate a stunt for me. This guy's a trooper. Man he just kept on going.

Q: Did you find that Planet of the Apes was one of the most challenging things you've ever had to work on?
A: Yes, but for different reasons. It wasn't challenging in a way that Boogie Nights was but physically it was very demanding. Acting wise I definitely had a different approach, but I felt really comfortable and confident because I was sitting there with Tim. There were times when I would have to look around and see him and just get that reassurance, but for the most part I was pretty confident.

Q: What makes Tim Burton such a unique director? Why does everyone want to work with him?
A: The guy is a genius but the fascinating thing about Tim for me is Tim Burton the person. I just fell in love with the guy. He is the sweetest guy that I have ever met, the funniest guy that I have ever met and he is just a good person. I've seen a lot of artists and they're not always the nicest guys in the world. A lot of them are caught up in their own thing. Tim is considerate and there is nothing that I dislike about the guy. Hey, I don't know if he likes me at all, and I don't care. He's a fascinating guy. He's one of those few people that you meet in your life who have a profound affect on you.