Movie News

Steady work is key to longevity, says Caine

Fri 12 Oct 2:20 PM

Want to know how to stay in the movie business as long as Michael Caine? Keep working and don't be too picky.

That's the advice of Sir Michael, who's been plugging away now for 40 years.

The double Oscar-winner told the LA Times: "Success comes from doing, not waiting. If you sit around waiting for that great part, you won't be ready for it, because you won't have all the little experiences that give you the confidence to do your best. I had friends who did one great movie but never worked again because they kept waiting for Fellini or John Ford to call them -- and it never happened."

He also warns stars against being too competitive. "What they really should be doing is competing with themselves, not with someone else. It's unhealthy to worry about other people -- get on with your own life."

Caine is currently starring in a remake of Sleuth, which pits Jude Law in the role Caine himself played in the 1972 original, while Sir Michael takes on the part originally played by Lord Olivier.

And Caine resisted the temptation to mock Law for his failed attempt to step into his shoes in the flop remake of Alfie. Asked if he'd teased Law, he replied: "Not at all. I'm very kind, especially if it's someone I'm going to work with."

What a gent!