It never really worked out for me in my own country. They said, 'You're not famous enough for the lead roles, and you're too present for the supporting roles - you'd overpower the lead.'

I wanted to play the piano, but my fingers weren't long enough, so I took up the guitar.

Growing up in eastern Germany, I knew of Superman, but he didn't resonate emotionally with me.

As an actor, you are always looking for subtext, for layers, for what's going on underneath.

I think of Superman as the ultimate vanilla hero. He's this perfect refugee, this perfect immigrant from another planet who embodies the American dream.