For me, with a character, you start with the shoes.

When I'm creating a character, I don't see it so much as playing someone else as just playing a specific part of myself under certain circumstances.

I come from a place where everything about me, even my body language, is saying: I mean you no harm. I smile, I laugh. Basic stuff for most people.

You can't try to be authentic. You either are or you aren't.

A personal game-changer was when Ridley Scott cast me as King John, the King of England, for 'Robin Hood.'

With Shakespeare, there's no subtext; you're speaking exactly what you're thinking constantly.