Eastwood 'perfect' for racist role

Clint Eastwood has revealed that he decided to star in new movie Gran Torino because he "couldn't think of anyone more right" for the role.

The 78-year-old, who also directs the film, said that playing racist Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski was a summation of his career on the silver screen.

"I couldn't think of anyone who was more right for this character than I was, at least on the surface of it, because of the history of the characters I've played. This one sort of sums it all up; one old bigot and his family," he said.

Eastwood also admitted that the part negates a previous pledge he made to retire from acting.

"I've said that a few times, and I always renege on my promise," he told The Miami Herald. "When Million Dollar Baby came along, I thought this was a character I could play, I was the right age, et cetera. After Baby, I thought: 'That's enough of that. I'll stay behind the camera from now on.' But then this came along."