Sigourney Weaver doesn't always want a leading role.
Sigourney Weaver
Weaver believes the key to her 40-year career is knowing how to "read" a script and see whether there's a good story, rather than a huge part for her, and also her penchant for mixing up the types of movies she makes.
She said: "I've worked hard my whole life to be offered different things.
"People always want to give you the same role you just played - I want to mix it up.
"What has helped me is that I know how to read a script. I never turned down a role because it wasn't a lead - if the script is good, it's going to be a project worth seeing."
The 66-year-old star will next be working on a number of sequels to James Cameron's 'Avatar' and she thinks them being commissioned is a sign of the changing nature of Hollywood.
She said: "I'm getting ready to do four more 'Avatars'. Back in the day you would never want to do a sequel - that would be very declasse. Now, everyone wants a franchise."
Sigourney also thinks the rise of social media has dramatically changed fame.
She told Glamour magazine: "It's a different animal now - there's less privacy. Social media is great, but I'm glad no one said to me, 'This is part of your job'. But for some young actors, I think it must be."
While the 'Avatar' movies are big-budget blockbusters, Sigourney's most recent work has been on smaller-scale productions 'Tomboy, A Revenger's Tale' and 'A Monster Calls' and she enjoys the challenge of low-budget films.
She said: "I love working with young directors. I like how creative people get when they don't have a lot of money. It's fly-by-the-sear-of-your-pants acting."
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