Farrell admits doubts over new movie role

Colin Farrell feared that In Bruges producers were making a huge mistake when they asked him to take the lead role in the movie.

The actor was thrilled to be approached for the film, which also stars Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, but he became concerned that his bad boy reputation would overshadow the quality of the script.

Colin eventually begged the movie's writer and director Martin McDonagh to cast an unknown actor in the role, but he was determined to have Farrell on board.

"I was chuffed to be part of it. It was just the best thing I ever read," Farrell told the Hollywood Reporter.

"But your public persona, people bring that in. And I met [McDonagh] in New York at the Hilton Hotel one afternoon and I tried to convince him he should cast an unknown in the part ... It was so good, I thought it would be good not to cast me."

The movie, which tells the story of assassins who are forced to hide out in Belgium, will be released in April in the UK.