“Organised religion, organised anything, requires commitment and requires an engagement with something. A lot of the time, we don't want to commit.”

“[on Martin Freeman playing Bilbo Baggins] It was great. I got to hang out with him, and I kept a straight face for a bit and then I started giggling because I know Martin, I don't know Bilbo. For Martin to be sitting there playing Bilbo is amazing. He's going to be amazing, he's going to be fantastic in this film.”

“I wasn't like a Fifties dad.”

“You don't want your children to look at you like you are anything special other than their dad.”

“I'm a big believer that life changes as much as you want it to.”

“I think people just like seeing friendship. I think people like seeing people who just drive each other up the wall, but at same time, can't live without each other.”

“I think what 'The Hobbit' and Middle-earth deal in are quite universal and timeless themes of honour and love and friendship... so they're things that do resonate with people.”

“Without sounding overly pompous about it, I don't really trust certainty in anything, actually. Especially as I get older. Except love. I'm certain of love, I guess.”

“Like any friendship or marriage, familiarity breeds more contempt, and love, and everything.”

“The design of 'Love Actually,' the typeface, the basic line of that poster and that DVD cover has been ripped off so many times.”

“My idea of a good night out is staying in.”