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Westworldis a famously secretive show.
How much of Williams arc do you know in advance?
The first season was full of surprises as to what was revealed to almost all of us every episode.
The second year, I knew the path that my character was on and where I was headed.
And the length of the season is pretty long.
The first year was ridiculous.
We stopped and started again six, seven, eight months.
You work two, three days a week max, some weeks you dont work at all.
And this particular show is so complicated.
Theres so much being shot.
The end of the second year, they had three or four crews working on different episodes.
Im glad Im not the person trying to keep track of it all.
I would say, Hey, look, I just did 125 performances of a play in London.
I knew what was going to happen every night.
And I was still very present and fresh.
you could let me know whatever you want to.
What I didnt know, I didnt know.
I didnt really fret about what I didnt know because I didnt know what I didnt know.
More in the moment.Very much so.
For me, anyway.
I took it a script at a time, scene at a time, line at a time.
Be present and real and tell the truth.
When you play a character, you have a go at get as deep in there as possible.
When certain things are revealed to you, its very helpful.
How much of the buzz around the show do you pay attention to?
The fandom is pretty vocal.Absolutely none.
Is this true across your career?
Do you read your reviews?I really dont.
Did you discuss the character at all with Jimmi Simpson?
Compare notes?A little bit.
We have a good relationship.
I said, Anything I can help you with, let me know.
Thanks for telling me.
I think Jimmi does a great job establishing the whole history of this guy.
Get rid of whatever nerves they have.
Shes not afraid to ask me things, acting questions.
I love talking about it.
If she has something thats bugging her or is stuck in something, we can discuss it.
The episode is about obsession, especially the kind that can blind us from what really matters.
I wasnt blinded by anything.
I like to get into things.
I like to do things well.
I can get pretty easily obsessed with something I care about, but not necessarily blindly.
Do you have any character or story input onWestworld?Hmm, we probably had some discussions.
Never any major points of disagreements.
There are two things I suggested.
How do you pick parts at this point in your career?
I wrote the screenplay and Ive been fighting to get the money I need.
If I dont, we wont be able to make it for a while.
I adapted it a couple years and Ive been trying to do it for the last three years.
I really, really, really want to do it.
It sounds like a big, challenging project.
When youve accomplished so much, are you still looking for things that challenge you?Yeah, definitely.
And it was definitely a challenge.
Every night, youre out there and youre trying to make it work.
I still really enjoy what I do.
The acting part of it is more fulfilling in theater than in film work, in a certain way.
One of the things I love about directing is youre constantly focused.
I may notknowIm not working for two weeks because they dont know yet.
Youre on set for 12 hours and on camera for ten minutes.
It gets a little bit old after a while.
You venture to keep a good attitude.
Im as confused as anybody else watching this thing.
I dont always know whats going on.
Do you watch your past work?
I wont hunt it out to see something that I did.
Whats your airport question?
Sometimes people come up and say something like, Milk Moneyis my favorite movie.
All right, Im glad you enjoyed it.
A lot of guys go The Rock!
Or Ill hear, I really liked you inThe Hours.
Pollockis my favorite movie.
More people have probably seen that than all the films Ive ever made.
Its a little bit strange, but its alright.
You get used to it.
I kind of skulk around.
I dont ask to be recognized.
Im always wearing a hat and glasses.
I dont mind if people are polite about it.
Youve been acting for 40 years.
How do you think film and television have changed?Youve got, what, 500 scripted shows?
They should have categories.
Emmys for web connection.
Thats the main thing thats changed the amount of stuff being put out there is amazing.
And in film, its all tentpole business.
You go to a ten-movie theater and eight of em cost $200 million to make.
I was watchingAtlantalast night and I just think the originality of that show is beautiful.
You never know whats gonna happen week to week.
Its so quirky and fun.
Thats one of the good things.
I think theres a lot of wonderful, creative work being done.
I go out the Sundance Film Lab every June if Im not working.
Hopefully the Montana film, right?If it doesnt happen, I dont know what Ill do.
Ill keep working outside in my yard.
Is that what you like to do?Yeah, I got some acreage.
Thats what I like.
