Michael Douglas is hoping to prove himself as a theatre star within the next two years.

The Basic Instinct star used to turn down stage roles because he was nervous about the prospect of live performance, however he has now finally conquered his fears.

"It was just standing up in front of people and not really liking it. I was not an outward-going person, I was not an extrovert as a kid," he told WENN.

"I used to sit there in [drama] school with a waste basket offstage, throw up and then go off onstage. I conquered it. It took a long time."