Andy Serkis

A lot of actors on film sets... very often they're not paying attention to the physical world around them. I think through studying art, I've always had that awareness and that's something that I've wanted to bring in to go beyond acting... As a form of expression, they are intrinsically linked.

Gollum has a weak personality and isn't able to cope with the power of the ring.

Just being an ape is a workout.

You don't really think about 3D when you're acting. As a director, you do.

Both my parents are Catholic and staunch believers. I'm not a Catholic now, but I still carry part of it with me.

Before I became an actor, I was a visual artist, and I've always hankered for the storytelling behind the camera.

If 'The Hobbit' happens - and there's reason to believe that it will - then I think I'm in with a chance! Gollum is very much part of 'The Hobbit,' after all.

A lot of people have asked me to do answer phone messages for them.

In the same way 'Lord of the Rings' was an interpretation of the book, 'The Hobbit' is being treated the same way. It will be faithfully represented with a fresh interpretation.

I think there will always be a particular generation of actors who... think that they're going to be replaced by robots. But certainly the emerging actors... understand that that's part of the craft.

Acting is a sort of pressure cooker that allows the fizz to come out the top. God knows what I'd be like if I didn't have that.

I would love to direct an 'Apes' movie. It would be in the spirit of where I'm going with my career - avatars played by actors to say something about the human condition.