LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- "Black Hawk Down" and "Pearl Harbor" star Josh Hartnett says picking films for commercial appeal over substance is "a shortcut to unhappiness."
Hartnett was on track to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars a few years ago, but he left "the race" in favor of more satisfying work, World Entertainment News Network reported Tuesday.
"I'm not in that race to be the hottest actor. I was for a couple of years, and it was really uncomfortable. I didn't like that whole world. I think trying to stay on top that way is a shortcut to unhappiness," Hartnett said.
"I'd go crazy doing something I can't believe in. I have to do with what I can do, which is make interesting films we don't see very often, with people who are talented.
"That hottest, newest, greatest thing -- that never really pans out anyway. ... I'm a fan of real storytelling."
