“It’s really bizarre because no one knows this, but elephants have killed more animal trainers than any other animal.”

I always want another actor to shine in my scene because it makes the film stronger. I would encourage people to scene steal, because filmmaking is a collaborative effort.

My mother is the most supportive mother in the world, she’s magical.

When I’m writing, I’m locking myself in a room. I’m the worst critic in the world. I write something and then I beat myself up. I’m like “Vin, you’re retarded, that makes no sense.”

I’m an actor. I can do whatever I want. As an actor, not everything has to be the most obvious choice. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is to defy expectations.

I’m not really afraid of the dark, except if I’m walking. The thing that scares me the most is the possibility of walking into a wall and busting my lip.

When people believe in you, you can do miraculous things.

When I was a child actor, I had the fear that I was going to be cast as the tree.

I’m going to do my best to channel the character on a spiritual level.

The films that I do are deep, introspective, brooding roles that you’re in this heavy headspace all the time.

I envision the future sunny and with love, harmony and oneness. I think Hollywood is changing.

I’ve directed independent film.

My mom used to say that I became a fighter and a scrapper and a tough guy to protect who I am at my core.

If you think about my filmography, I have never done a movie that a kid could go see, except for Iron Giant, and I’m not even on the screen.

Show me how you drive and I’ll show you who you are.

My gut feeling about sequels is that they should be premeditated: You should try to write a trilogy first or at least sketch out a trilogy if you have any faith in your film.

Unfortunately, in Hollywood, there are those directors that have some contempt for actors. We’ve all experienced that, in one way or another.

Every puppy should have a boy.

The hippopotamus is a vegetarian and looks like a wall. Lions who eat only red meat are sleek and slim. Are nutritionists on the wrong track?

I carry around this little lion named Leo, which I’ve had for as long as I can remember.

The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.

Cats invented self-esteem.

Even a wolf knows how to be polite when animalistic humans have no clue about politeness.

You know it’s time to start using mouthwash when your dentist leaves the room and sends in a canary.

The secret is, first, get a thoroughbred horse because they are the most nervous animals on earth. Then get the biggest gun you can find and make sure the starter fires that big gun right by the nervous thoroughbred’s ear.