Brody: 'I am a tough guy'

Adrien Brody has defended criticism that he is unconvincing as an action movie star.

The 37-year-old actor, who has chosen mainly dramatic roles since his Oscar-winning turn in The Pianist, admitted to The AP that he was caught off-guard by the backlash to his casting in this month's Predators reboot.

"It's surprising to me, sometimes, when people are surprised at my choices and it seems they are more surprised as of late," he said.

"But as an actor it's been a conscious decision to do my best to not repeat myself, so that I keep the process for myself interesting and for the people that have seen my work. I've looked long and hard for an opportunity like this."

Brody also said said that as a fan of the Predator film series, he considered it a "big deal" to land the role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 original, and trained hard in order to fit the part, something which he hopes fans will accept and appreciate.

He said: "I did feel that I had to make a physical transformation. On one level it's exciting for an audience to see that. I like to see that, even if the character's villainous."

He did however express disappointment that action heroes are still defined by their physical prowess, adding: "Strength has to come from within.

"We're all, unfortunately, very familiar with what young soldiers look like today and they're not dissimilar to my build. I think military leadership comes from a tactical and technical confidence... and an intellectual strength."

> Click here for our interview with Adrien Brody