Quotes from Joe Morton

The argument for '12 Years a Slave' was that - yes, it's a beautiful film. Beautifully shot, beautifully acted. It's a real story, and these stories should be told. The problem is, if they're the only stories being told, then it makes Americans of African descent - it puts them into that victim category. And that was my problem with the movie.

When I started, black people were either victims or they were the perpetrators; they were the boogie men who jumped out of the bushes and did terrible things to you.

Perhaps, despite my objections, the success of films like: 'The Help,' 'Django,' 'The Butler,' or '12 Years a Slave,' will further persuade Hollywood to widen its view and edit its erroneous perception of what a commercial black film can look like.

You don't have the opportunity to win an Emmy unless you're given the opportunity to play certain kinds of roles.

I want to put something on the screen that audiences have never seen black actors do before, roles that will widen views of who African-Americans are.

I think every villain basically thinks that he or she is doing something to make his world, or the world in general, a better place.

I would love to play the villain, but again, it's sort of what happens in this industry.

With any villain, you have to see things from their point of view and understand that they think what they're doing will make the world a better place.

I don't think you can play a villain with a negative point of view.

I think many villains have the burden of not being very human.

I think the greatest lesson that power has to teach us is, once you've had it, once you are a part of it, you're never free.

You make up your mind what part you want to read for and why. It's kept me focused - on what's important, what I want, and what I don't.