Bettany 'passed on King's Speech for family'

Paul Bettany has explained that he turned down the lead role in The King's Speech in order to spend more time with his family.

Colin Firth has earned a 'Best Actor' Academy Award nomination for the part that screenwriter David Seidler had originally envisioned for Bettany.

Speaking to The AP at the Sundance Film Festival, the actor revealed that family commitments led him to reject the offer to portray King George VI.

"I think it is a little inelegant for me to discuss it," he said. "I had been working for five months steadily and my son missed me and I missed my son. Both of my sons and my wife."

Bettany, who is married to actress Jennifer Connelly, further remarked that he ultimately does not regret his decision to pass on the project.

"I regret not working with such amazing, amazing actors and directors and writers. But no, I have to do the right thing by my family every time," he said.

He will next star with Maggie Q in Priest, which is released on May 13 in US and UK cinemas.