TIM ROBBINS: Im always looking for characters with unexpected tendencies, dichotomies, and ambiguity.
You talked about always looking for the unexpected in characters that you play.
Is that something that youve always done, or is that something youve learned you needed to do?
ROBBINS: Ive always looked to play roles like that, and approach roles like that.
Every hero has flaws, and every villain has something about him that he or she believes is good.
Youre definitely somebody whos had a long, well-respected and acclaimed career.
Photo by Mary Cybulski / Focus Features
Are there other things you look for, as well?
Are there other aspects of a project that also matter to you?
ROBBINS: It all starts with the script, but certainly the director.
And its about the actors.
I know Mark [Ruffalo].
Ive known him for awhile and Ive worked with him before.
Photo by: Dana Starbard/Hulu
Thats a rare thing, and I really appreciate and admire that.
ROBBINS: It was great.
I felt real comfortable on that set.
First of all, we were working in the real place.
And then, he had people around that were part of the story.
Rob Bilott was around.
And then, he used a lot of local Cincinnati actors that really led an authenticity to the piece.
When youre playing a real person, the priority is always to honor who they are.
ROBBINS: For sure, I wanted to talk to him.
Going against his culture was totally unexpected.
ROBBINS: Yes, that he had a moral core, and clearly knew what was right and wrong.
Were going to support this lawsuit.
Why are we all looking the other way?
Why are we all pretending that it didnt happen?
What kind of moral character does it take to stand in those shoes?
I never thought of them as the same world.
ROBBINS: Wait until you see whats coming up.
There are a lot of surprises coming.
I just liked the way these guys wrote and the way that they were creating this world.
I havent really ever played a character like this before, whos the town loan shark/mob boss.
Its what I grew up around, so Ive been wanting to play this character for awhile.
I was talking to someone about the difficulties of different roles, and comedy is hard.
To maintain a sense of doing something thats going to make people laugh, is a really rigid discipline.
I find it easier to be in that reality.
Youve directed films and youve directed some episodes of TV.
Are you looking to direct again soon?
ROBBINS: I would love to.
I just need to find someone with 10 to 20 million dollars, and Ill be home free.
ROBBINS: Its difficult, yes.
So, finding creative fulfillment is absolutely essential, for people that want to create.
Ive created works that weve toured all over the world on.
Its a story that unifies us all, in this country.
The latter is true with me.
I dont think it serves anyone to participate in something that Im not passionate about.
Im going to continue to create in a way that makes me happy.
ROBBINS: Ive always wanted to play a preacher, so Im looking for that.
Dark Watersin now playing in theaters.
