On Minority Report's precognitive people and the real-world implications of knowing his own future:
I don't believe in fate. I believe that you make your own fate. That's what I personally believe, but if we were in a situation where we had precognitives that were able to predict the future--I think it's pretty cool. I would like to live in a society [like that]--But then there's that whole thing about "How accurate is it?" and that whole problem. But I think it'd be interesting to know what's gonna happen in the future and then you can have a choice. I'd like that.
On the other elements of Minority Report's envisioned year 2054 that he'd enjoy experiencing in real life:
The MAGLEV system [a vertical superhighway which runs up the side of skyscrapers], I hope that's part of the future. I'd like to have that but it's got to be able to come off so you can drive also. I don't want to lose that.
And that slick, red Lexus he drives in the film?
Very cool car. You've got to have the toys, man!
On a slightly lower-end technology, the much-discussed braces that currently adorn his multimillion-dollar smile:
These braces are more about function, because I was having a hard time closing my mouth, biting down. This orthodontist said I should fix it because I'm fracturing the lower teeth...I got 'em in January...Now when it comes time for my kids to get braces--I know what it's like. I've been there. [with mock parental authority] "Don't whine about it."
On why braces on a person his age may be commonplace in 2054:
[For Minority Report] they did a lot of research with scientists to find out: "What is the future going to be?" Some of the things all these scientists agreed upon was that people are going to live to 150, 200 years. That's where we're headed.
On his upcoming 40th birthday, which in the future wouldn't come close to being middle age:
Forty's comin' up, man. Obviously, now I'm getting asked this question, and I hadn't thought about it a lot…. You get busy with kids and work and everything. But when I was a teenager and in my 20s you always think, "Geez, where am I gonna be?" I'd hoped that I would just keep developing and have the opportunities to make different kinds of movies and hopefully survive that "flush" when you first start working.
On what he'd have said if a precognitive had told him where he would be at this stage of his life and career:
[Laughs explosively] I'd say I think they're crazy. I'd say, "You're out of your mind!" I am surprised at how well things have gone. You always still want to keep pushing and see what's gonna happen next, but the more you work--I think it's the same being a painter, a writer, an actor. You start to gain confidence in your work, and yet every time you go to do it again, you have that thing in your stomach, you know? You start to get nervous beforehand. I like that nervousness. It's not fear, it's excitement. I just know that feeling I had when I was racing cars: Right before the race, no matter what happens. It sort of keeps things very sharpened. I get excited. Days before I don't sleep.
On exactly what he has planned for his big 4-0 on July 3:
I think friends of mine are going to throw a party for me. I just leave it up to them. They're quite enthusiastic about this evening, so I'm going to leave it to them. And I think this summer, I'm gonna climb a mountain. Just relax. Maybe in Yosemite or Colorado...I'm not a great climber or anything, but I can climb. I can live through just about anything.
