I feel as though my career really hit its high point when I was cast as a supporting actress in 'American Wedding'. I thought the script had a lot of depth and intelligence, and it really just jumped off the page.
J. J. Abrams is a director that I've admired for a long time, from the very first scripts he wrote - including 'Regarding Henry,' which I was in.
'King of California' was just, I thought, a really great, fresh, original kind of script. I loved the tone, the mix of tragedy, comedy, and drama, and that it was a good part.
You'll read a script, and it'll grab me, or it won't.
It always starts with a script. I like to have plenty of time to read something, and I always like to read a paper copy. I hate reading it on email. I sit down with a script, and want to see how it hits me. It's an instinctive process.
When I first read the script a few years ago I thought it was one of the best written scripts I had ever read.
I'm a great fan of Michael Mann and when he asked to see me I couldn't believe it. I was very happy. I met him and I read this beautiful script. I didn't know anything about Dillinger. I fell in love with the movie and Michael Mann.
Sometimes you do feel a script that glows in your hand the moment you start reading it. By page four of Shakespeare in Love, I said, 'I have to be in this movie.'
I think the first thing I consider is whether I like the script. Once that is done, the next thing I look for is my part in the movie. Many a times you come across good offers, but the part they are offering might not be challenging. So, I don't take up that film.
You just knew you were in great hands with somebody so talented, so bright and with such depth. We both [with Ellen Page] loved the script and the book [Into the Forest], which I read after I read the script, and highlighted it and dog-eared it to craziness.
I was cast last minute for Casino Royale. They asked me to fly to Prague. I liked the script very much. I flew to Prague and did a bit of an audition. I was really focused and stressed out. And Daniel Craig was there. He was very, very blonde, like a Steve McQueen. He's moving a lot in real life. He's quite nervous. He was very lovely, very patient, and really connecting with me when we did the screen test.
For me, my first hearing of the script matters. It has to excite me as an actor and as an audience.
I love this script [The Hollars] because I'm lucky enough to come from a really tightknit family.
I read a lot of scripts that I just don't find very funny.
Normally, when I read a script, I read 30 pages, and then go have a cup of tea and come back. And then, I read 20 pages and go make a phone call, and then go back to it.
I got the 'Max Rose' script, and I fell in love with it. It just hit me. It was something that needed to be made.
If it's an excellent script, I enjoy it tremendously, the acting part of it.
I'm a sucker for a funny script. And then, as soon as I don't wanna be, one comes along and grabs me.
With 'Badhaai Ho,' I loved the script but was anxious that someone else might get the role.
I'm just a sucker for a good script.
When you get scripts and you really enjoy reading them, you know it's a good project.
But I loved the script to 7th Heaven and couldn't say no. It made me laugh and cry, and I was hooked. I'd love to know who turned it down, because I'm sure at least one other actor did. But I'm glad he did, whoever it was.
When a script moves me, I find that I immediately understand a character. Of course not completely, but I do understand.
I really wanted to do 'Modern Family,' and I really liked the script, and I liked the people.
I took the role because it's rare to read a script that makes me laugh and cry, and it spoke to my own religious feelings, as well as giving me a chance to draw on my experience as a parent. Accepting it was a no-brainer.
