Robert De Niro had always been an actor's actor, the kind of performer whose work is dissected and analyzed in acting classes, held as a prime example of how it should be done. So it's little wonder that he managed to assemble an incredible and impressive A-list cast for "The Good Shepherd" — Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, Alec Baldwin, Michael Gambon, John Turturro — all in one, three-hour movie: a casting agent's wildest dream come true. This is his first directorial work in 13 years (his debut had been "A Bronx Tale") and as with his last foray, he gets in front of camera as well as stays behind it. "The Good Shepherd" shows De Niro in a serious, uncongenial mood, which he carried over into the Tokyo press conference, given in early August to promote the film.

What accounts for the 13 long years between your first directorial work and "The Good Shepherd?"

I actually started on the project eight or nine years ago. I didn't want to do anything that didn't interest me and was looking around for a worthwhile project. This script (by Eric Roth) looked terrific and I was eager to do it, but all the necessary factors didn't fall into place until 2003.