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Franco talks about missing out on lead in 'The Master'

Actor said that he was 'too confident' in the audition for the role

James Franco has revealed that he auditioned for the lead role in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, the Oscar-tipped drama/thriller 'The Master'.

The actor went for the role of violent drifter Freddie Quell in the film, which was ultimately given to Joaquin Phoenix.

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But it wasn't for a lack of confidence – which, he thinks, may have been his downfall.

Speaking to Indiewire, Franco said: “When he started talking about the role, [Anderson] said, 'Do you feel like you can do this?' And I said 'Yeah, totally. Look, I think you're like the best American director. I feel confident. I know I can do this'.

“And he said to me, 'But I want this to scare you. I want this role, going on this journey, to scare you'. And I was like 'Scare?! I know I can do it'. I guess I wasn't scared enough or something, or whatever reason I didn't get it.

“And then when I saw Joaquin in that movie I realised, 'Oh, he wanted me to like lose my mind'. And so I guess that's just to say I usually don't get scared of roles.”

The film, which bases itself on the beginnings of a cult not dissimilar to Scientology led by Philip Seymour Hoffman, is likely to be up for a number of Oscars.



But Phoenix, who turns in a virtuoso performance, may have marred his chances of scooping Best Actor, after he called the awards season 'total, utter bullsh*t' last week.

“It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other... It's the stupidest thing in the whole world,” he added.