Jude Law was determined to be "taken seriously" as a young actor

Jude - who was married to actress Sadie Frost between 1997 and 2003 - told the Guardian newspaper: "In my 20s, I was very conscious of wanting to be taken seriously and play a variety of dramatic roles, so not to be simply cast in the sort of good-looking roles. I played it out in my own head with a lot of agitation and drama.

"As you get older and you're no longer cast in those roles, you think: 'What was I thinking?' I suppose I can understand a 22-year-old wanting a healthy, broad career. The good aspect of getting into middle age is that your characters can carry a little more complexity."

Now, Jude is actually enjoying his acting work more than ever.

The London-born star - who played Dickie Greenleaf in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', the 1999 psychological thriller film - explained: "I have a great sense of who I am, what I've done and what I hope to do.

"I like to think I've always been picky. The interesting thing about getting older is that you could play characters similar to those you've played in the past, but they're now in their 50s.

"I like the idea of playing Dickie Greenleaf now he's in his 50s, had he survived in Ripley. What would that type of playboy guy be like now? Or a rusty old gigolo robot who is 30 years older than the glossy new one.

"But really it's always about curiosity and looking for fresh ground."