Eastwood took big casting chances on latest project

As one of Hollywood's most honored figures, Clint Eastwood can be selective about his on-screen company - but for "Gran Torino" he went with a group of unknown, untrained actors.

The Oscar and Golden Globe winner also stars as Walt Kowalski, a bigoted retiree who has trouble accepting his changing Detroit neighborhood, but is forced to reassess his prejudices when he becomes a hero by defending the family next door from a Hmong gang.

The 78-year-old actor spoke with The Associated Press about "Gran Torino" (hitting theaters Christmas Day), Angelina Jolie, the election and aging in Hollywood.

Q. The principal actors in "Gran Torino" were first-time actors. Did you feel you were taking a risk casting them?

A. Yes, I was taking a chance. I felt that was the only way to do it. There certainly weren't many Hmong actors. There was only one that I know of. It is very obscure for us. We don't know a lot about that group of people and that is what made it interesting for us.

Q. Is "Gran Torino" your last acting film?

A. I don't know. I never think of retirement really. The only reason I ever thought about retiring from the front part of the camera as opposed to the back is sometimes you think, "How many roles are there for someone my age?"

Q. Have you ever felt pressure to have plastic surgery?

A. I think being able to age gracefully is a very important talent. It is too late for me. The horse is out of the barn. ... In past generations, people would try to play younger than they really are. My trick is, I don't try to play younger than I really am.

Q. You've seen firsthand the paparazzi that surrounds Angelina Jolie. If you were coming up in this time, would you have gone into acting?

A. I suppose. I like doing the process. Of course when you get to the franticness that she (Angelina) is at, at this present time, it is out there. It wasn't that way when I got in.

Q. You supported John McCain. Were you disappointed when he lost?

A. I met him years ago when he first came back from Vietnam. This was back when (Ronald) Reagan was the governor of California and he had a big function for all of the prisoners of war who were released. I thought he was a terrific guy, a real American hero. I didn't dislike the other man either. As far as who was going to be the best person still remains to be seen. You hope whoever it is that they are going to be great. (Barack) Obama is my president now and I am going to be wishing him the very best because it is what is best for all of us.