Chris Cooper and Rachel McAdams in Married Life Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

After Breach and Married Life, have you reached a stage where you think you'll be considered for more leading roles?
I don't know. I mean it's great to think that as a 56-year-old, I am in a better position in many ways than bigger names because on the one hand, if there's a little supporting role or a character that I think I can have fun with and do something with, it's my choice and I don't think maybe the bigger names are allowed to take that chance. And on the other, for the first time I'm considered the lead in a studio film — Breach — and it's great. Whether that's going to happen again, I don't know. Breach certainly made its money back and everybody's happy. Maybe they'll take a chance again.

Do you turn a lot of things down?
Yes. And believe me, I don't have any regrets. I mean it's great, directors and writers are very bold — you have to be in this business — and I get sent stacks of material. And I may do — this is a conservative estimate — one in 50 scripts.

Are you planning to star in Hurricane Mary, the script your wife Marianne has written about the legal battles a family fights on behalf of their children with cerebral palsy, which your son died from?
Absolutely. We're still trying to get the money but it's a project that's very dear to our hearts. It's an important film, it's not frivolous by any means, and she's written me the part of the pro-bono lawyer who is behind the family. In the film I'll be able to verbalise what I was always too tied up emotionally to say when the same thing was happening to Marianne and me.

It could be a cathartic experience.
Yes, I have a lot to get off my chest in that one.