Quotes

The hockey I was raised on, the hockey I understand, the hockey that my dad taught me about when I was a boy was intrinsically connected with fighting. I grew up in a house where we revered tough guys.

I think sports makes for good drama because it has all the same ingredients as anything worth reading or listening to or watching. Conflict, desire, heartbreak - it's all there. People project their hopes, ambitions and failings onto their sports clubs. They become symbiotically connected with the fate of their favorite team. This is a deep blood oath connection to something ancient and tribal inside most if us and, as a result, it's universal.

[on being directed by David Cronenberg] That man has been one of my heroes since I was about thirteen. I adore his movies and his body of work is something that all Canadians can take proud ownership of. When I was asked if I'd be interested in doing two days on ['Cosmopolis'] I said 'Yes, yes, and yes' without having read the script. I would have picked up his dry cleaning if they'd asked me.

I am a proud Montrealer. Jobs will take me where they take me but nothing will ever be able to convince me to leave my home. If it were up to me every job would be somewhere in Canada.

[on making movies in Canada] I'm not chasing a brass ring anymore. I'm not trying to be a movie star. I'm so happy with the life I have right now, and part of that is being up here. So it just comes down to I want to make movies at home. I prefer spending time here than in any other country in the world.

I'm just sick of watching Canadian movies with Canadian actors and Canadian backdrops, and then they exchange money and it's American cash. I remember when The Trotsky (2009) came out. All the reviews were like, "Oh, some of the Montreal inside jokes will take some getting used to". I was just like, what inside jokes? We reference the town we're shooting in. Turn the camera on, walk down the street. Where you're shooting, that's where it takes place. It's as simple as that.

[on The Making Of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice] Physical comedy is the reason I got into acting. I've been tripping and falling down my whole life, so I figured I might as well find a way to get paid for it.

I always beat the drum to hire as many locals as we can, but I don't need to tell them that. They know. From a casting perspective you can find a lot of talented people, but also it's very important that there are so many ethnicities represented in Toronto. You can actually cast a wide net and it looks like the real world.