Lincoln's leadership is based on a number of precepts, but my favorite one is that he acted in the name, and for the good, of the people.

There were so many odd, strange things about Abraham Lincoln that I think nobody knew how to pigeonhole him.

I love editing. It's one of my favorite parts about filmmaking.

I've always wanted to tell a story about Lincoln. I saw a paternal father figure; I saw someone who was completely, stubbornly committed to his ideals, to his vision.

There is a fine line between censorship and good taste and moral responsibility.

I wanted to do another movie that could make us laugh and cry and feel good about the world. I wanted to do something else that could make us smile. This is a time when we need to smile more and Hollywood movies are supposed to do that for people in difficult times.