Robert Redford on being director and actor

His first film in five years, Robert Redford re-enters Hollywood with a stunning performance in The Company You Keep, as both actor and director. At 76, this could signify a revival of his career, as he is also set to star in next year's All Is Lost. We had the chance to talk to the legendary actor about what it was like directing himself, the world of politics and one of his biggest inspirations, Les Misérables. Robert also spoke about the similarities and differences between the political views of his characters and the actors who play them, like Shia LaBeouf, who plays a reporter in The Company You Keep. About LaBeouf's character, Robert remarked, "That’s why I say that his energy and drive, in other words, the hunter and the hunted. I think you need the hunter to drive the hunted into action."

As he snacked on chips and spoke casually about his lengthy career, Robert spoke of directing himself in films, remarking, "I don’t enjoy it. So, because I don’t enjoy it, it’s a challenge. I can do it, but I’m probably more comfortable directing and acting separately. When you have a situation like with The Horse Whisperer, where there’s a good role I would like to play, but I have a strong feeling about how the film might be or look, you do both." Robert also had fun during the round table interview, cracking jokes about his past characters: "I play somebody that was chasing to get the truth and in this film I’m running. [Laughs] I’m being chased by a reporter and that time I was the reporter chasing." Check back for the full interview coming soon. ~Morgan Bates