I think cinema should provoke thoughts, sure, but using it as I soapbox I think is the wrong place. I never want to be part of something like that, where there's an agenda there that's not about telling a story, where its someone getting on a soapbox and preaching their own beliefs onto somebody.

Jeremy Renner

Other people can think ahead all they want. I just focus on the task at hand and try to move on.

Jeremy Renner

I like repressed characters. That gives me a lot of freedom to make a lot of different choices through subtleties.

Jeremy Renner

I think cinema should provoke thoughts, sure, but using it as I soapbox I think is the wrong place. I never want to be part of something like that, where there's an agenda there that's not about telling a story, where its someone getting on a soapbox and preaching their own beliefs onto somebody.

Jeremy Renner

I don't really think there's much difference between a character actor and a leading man besides aesthetics.

Jeremy Renner

The movie business is very difficult but the music business is just impossible. So I'll play in bands and record and play songs with other people, but for me it's a form of expression that all I need is me. I don't need cameras or agents, I can just have a piano and sing and feel totally verified.

Jeremy Renner

You have to wait for a big star to come in and generate interest on a project, and now that has become me, which is an amazing blessing.

Jeremy Renner

The most experience I had in the criminology field is playing a thug as an actor. That was my first paid job. The police academy at the college was paying people to reenact the calls that potential cops would get. So I got to play thugs and people who were unruly.

Jeremy Renner

Accents can be a great tool to tell a story - but if you do it wrong, it pulls you right out of the movie.

Jeremy Renner

People find themselves in ruts all the time. You're in a complacent lifestyle where you work 9 to 5 and then you add a mortgage and kids. You feel trapped, but guess what, brother? You constructed that life. If you're OK with it, there's nothing wrong with that. But if you've got unease, then you've got to make a change.

Jeremy Renner

In the 'Hurt Locker' there's a lot of me in there, a sense of humor, a man of few words and a lot of action.

Jeremy Renner

I need to react to a script, to feel strongly about it in some way. And I need it to be a complex character for sure. And also, I think a lot about what kind of audience there is for the film, what they're looking for and ways to connect with them in the playing of a character.

Jeremy Renner

I know what I like and what I want, and I can sit and enjoy every 10 minutes that go by. And truly enjoy it.

Jeremy Renner

I do music because I can just pick up my guitar and sing, and completely satisfy, instant gratification. I don't need a script, I don't people, I don't need anything, cameras, I just have myself and my guitar, or keyboard.

Jeremy Renner

I know it's a cliche but I never wanted to be famous. I don't believe anybody wants to be famous.

Jeremy Renner

What matters to me is learning and growing, and getting to do what I love to do. As long as I can do that, I'm happy.

Jeremy Renner

I'm consciously aware, specifically with the comic book world, where there's a built-in fanbase. But, there's a little bit of leniency because there are a couple different universes.

Jeremy Renner

Music I do just for me.

Jeremy Renner

Fear is just not a part of my life - so much so that if it's involved in somebody else's life and they're close to me, I won't be around them.

Jeremy Renner

I was very shy when I was younger. But I did have a terrible temperament. I would get angry very quickly, but the rest of the time I was this big goofball, playing the drums in a band and making out with girls.

Jeremy Renner

I love the idea of going to work and having to fight and learn a new skill set, whether it's muay Thai or Kali or Filipino stick fighting. To me, it's like college for life.

Jeremy Renner