A friend of mine, Neil Gaiman, had the film rights to his book 'Stardust' bought by producer Matthew Vaughn and suggested I adapt it for the screen.

'Stardust' ended up being my first film in 2007.

I see my role as a translator, telling the story that's in the book using the more visual language of film.

A longstanding dream of mine is to adapt 'Dune,' but it's a long process to get the rights, and I don't think I will succeed.

There is always a reverence issue, and I'm no different from any audience member that if someone's adapting a book or comic that I like, I really don't want them to screw it up.

I adapt to almost anything. The primary condition is that one of my elementary rights be respected – my dignity.