Brolin got hives playing Bush

Josh Brolin has revealed that his obsession with mastering the mannerisms of George W. Bush for the Oliver Stone biopic W led to his contracting hives.

The No Country For Old Men star said he had to endure the itchy skin condition and the fury of his actress wife, Diane Lane.

Director Oliver Stone earlier said he hoped the film would give cinema-goers a fair depiction of the US President.

Brolin told USA Today that he became obsessed with making sure he did a good job in the title role.

"My wife got so mad at me one time. We were on a plane from Hawaii, and I'm supposed to learn all these frat names. So I'm covered in spots, and the whole flight back, I'm trying to figure out these mnemonics for these 40 names.

"She was like, 'You have to stop. It looks weird, and it's not normal'. I was obsessed," he said.