Takers is a different kind of movie for you. Why haven’t you worked in that genre before?
Matt Dillon (MD):  These things are really difficult and you want to make sure that you’re in the right hands when you do something like that. 
What I like about this character, is he’s a damaged cop. In movies, criminals are more interesting than cops, and it seems like in TV, they cover cops more than in movies, but in this case, I like this guy, because he’s just as flawed an individual as the guys he’s going after. 

The film was shot digitally. As a director yourself you must have been interested.
MD: This is the first time I did anything that was shot digitally.  And it looks beautiful.
I think the whole idea behind making films like that, and making them so smooth and using all that equipment is to take the sense of the camera away from the viewer, by being really still, and using the camera in such a smooth way – that’s why the equipment is so expensive and valuable.
 But I was surprised, because digital was supposed to make things easier, but it hasn’t.  It’s given filmmakers more options in a way, but it’s not made it easier.

Will you direct again?
MD:  Yeah, I want to direct again and I’ve written some things, I’ve developed some things but it’s a big time commitment and I’m also a perfectionist, at least in that area of my life.
I have a script that I think is really good but not good enough yet.
With the film that I directed, it took years to get that done. But it was a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Do you have any limits with the parts that you would play?
MD:  I don’t like to put limitations on myself, because everybody else does that already.
I feel like I don’t get as much of an opportunity to show my versatility – certain things won’t come my way: they’ll say, “oh, he’s too handsome”, or “he’s too confident”.  Or “he’s not handsome enough” or “he’s too old” or “he’s too young”. There’s always something, right?

What was the best advice someone gave you that you can remember?
MD:  From an actor?  Gene Hackman. He gave the best advice and it was so simple: “before you do a scene, fill up”.
And if you are an actor, that’s very clear – it means be instantaneous with your character emotionally. 

It’s so general but it gives you everything you need. And other actors have told me  they’ve gotten the same suggestion from him.
They said “Isn’t that the most brilliant thing that anybody ever said?” Fill up!