Newton feared axe over Rice role

Thandie Newton believed that she faced the axe while filming her role as Condoleezza Rice in Oliver Stone's George W. Bush biopic W.

Although the actress did her homework for the part, she was worried that she would not be given time to ease into the character.

"I am that kind of tortoise that just needs to take my time. He gave me permission to do that. I loved his relaxed belief that whatever I did, it was going to be good," she said.

W will be one of the movies featured at October's BFI London Film Festival.