THC: You’ve dramatized periods like the Civil War, Qing Dynasty China, and hippie-era Woodstock in your films. How does history inspire you?

AL: Naturally, working in a different period gives a distance to create art. “Once upon a time, far far away” is a good way to tell a story: you know what happened, and you also know the consequences. You have a complete view.

Ironically, we have a theatrical tradition that becomes part of history and culture. A lot of what we believe matter-of-factly, and even history in the textbooks, is actually wrong. But if you want to do the right thing, you could end up on the wrong side of the audience. I’m still learning how to hit the sweet spot: I don’t want to make pictures that make me feel righteous, but also are flops.

THC: After 2003’s “The Hulk,” you briefly considered retiring. How long are you going to stay in the business?

AL: I don’t think about that anymore. I used to have that anxiety. I think my body and my audience will let me know. If people are really lukewarm three pictures in a row, maybe it’s time to retire [laughs]. But I know if I start a project, I will want to finish it. For better or worse, I hate the feeling of incompletion.

—Staff writer Andrew R. Chow can be reached at andrewchow@college.harvard.edu.