How do you deal with all the attention women pay you? Do you ever feel like a marked man who can't hide from his admirers?
I used to enjoy the attention when I first got a bit of fame because of ER and then the Batman hype. But it's not real and you don't feel that you deserve the attention. I'm a pretty open guy and I like meeting people, but it disturbs me a bit that there's this whole image that people have of me in their heads, which takes a while to break down. And usually you don't get that time to allow people to know who you are, unless you're working with them.

Do a lot of women still chase you?
I get a few phone calls or notes left for me, but that's usually not going to lead to anything. I always find myself in the position of being embarrassed if I'm with people who are not necessarily famous and suddenly a lot of women appear who want to meet me. I'm more of the old-fashioned type who would prefer to meet a woman in a more normal setting. I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like to feel that I'm the one being hunted down. I've always liked to do my own hunting when it comes to meeting women.

So you're embarrassed by it?
The trouble is that there's no challenge if you walk in a room or a restaurant and everybody recognises you. So that kind of takes the suspense out of being the seducer, doesn't it? It's something I've gotten used to for a long time now, but there is a warping effect on how you interact with other people. That's one of the reasons I spend more time in Europe because even if I am recognised, it's more relaxed and people just move on with whatever they're doing. It's also great to hang out in local bars and cafés where I get to practise my horrible Italian, and we do everything but talk about the film business.

In the last few years, you and Steven Soderbergh have set up your own production company and you've made Solaris together. You also directed your first film, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. How's that been?
I'm very enthusiastic about our collaboration and we still have a long way to go to accomplish what we're after. I've always said that I'm in this business to make my mark and leave something of a legacy.

I also saw that it was important to have greater control over the kinds of projects I was getting involved with, because without that influence and power to make decisions you can wind up working on projects that turn out completely different from what you expected. I've had my share of bad films and bad TV shows, so I want to be more involved in developing my own projects and that way if I wind up doing something that stinks, at least I know that I tried to accomplish something without being at the mercy of factors beyond my control.

Does ageing bother you at all?
Not a bit. I love my grey hair. I actually think my face has more of an edge and a lot more character than it did when I was in my early thirties. So I think I can have 20 more good years as an actor if that's what I want and if the public aren't fed up with me. I still feel I've got my best work ahead of me and that I understand more about film and about how to develop stories than I ever have. I also feel a nagging responsibility that I should keeping setting the bar higher each time out. I don't just want to coast.

Do you want to direct more?
Yes. What I enjoy about getting involved in producing and directing is that I've given myself another way of enjoying the filmmaking process apart from acting. Acting is just one element of a huge machine that makes a film work. So in the future I definitely want to be more involved as a filmmaker, especially when I feel I've done my best work as an actor and feel like it's time to be behind the camera more.

So you wouldn't think of just giving it all up and settling down to a life of wine and women in your Italian villa?
It's tempting, but I can have that anyway and still work hard and try to make interesting films. I also need to have the feeling that I'm working on something meaningful and that I'm not just here for the ride. So that kind of thinking is what drives me.

How is Max, your pet pig, doing?
He's eating his way through life. I'd put him on a diet, but he screams like hell if he's not able to stuff himself the way he likes it.

What do women think of Max?
I've had different reactions over the years. But I always say, 'Love me, love my pig.' What can I do? He's the longest relationship of my life!.

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