were chosen for these parts? Susan Sarandon:  I said yes before I even knew what the parts were because I just wanted the ride.  I knew that it would be something special because of who they were.  I'd read the book already.  They'd given me the book when I was doing "Speed Racer."  I just thought that it's an impossible task and you have these fabulous people.  How great to be part of Camp Cloud Atlas and just go and jump and do it.  So, I didn't even know.  We had a limited amount of time that I could give them.  I just said "I'm yours, whatever you can find for me, I'm happy to be there."  Then, when I read the script, I was amazed that they had managed to do it.  Of course, they didn't have to use the same actors going through.  I think the fluidity that gives for the themes is really special.  I don't know who came up with that at what junction, but that was so unusual.  To join this film rep company, which you never get except in theater, we all knew that something very special was happening, and no matter where it went, just organizing it that way and inviting these people who had to have a certain spirit -- and you're talking about Halle Berry and Tom Hanks who normally aren't playing little, tiny parts -- the spirit that they entered in was very, very special. Hugo Weaving:  If they'd wanted