SEAN PENN - EXHAUSTED PENN TO TAKE SABBATICAL

OSCAR winner SEAN PENN's latest movie ALL THE KING'S MEN has left him with such severe exhaustion, he's retiring from the movie industry for several years to recover.

Penn enjoyed playing governor WILLIE STARK opposite actors including JUDE LAW, KATE WINSLET and SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS in the political thriller based on ROBERT PENN WARREN's best-selling novel of the same name.

But spending months away from his family and friends on location - and enduring gruelling sessions shooting the movie - has prompted Penn to step away from the limelight to relax and enjoy his leisure time.

He explains, "The first week back, you want to make up for all the time you spent away from the kids - mistake.

"You have to pretend you're still away except you're not, so you just sleep and they come to see you, otherwise you're ill. this one (All The King's Men) has been extremely rough. I'm pretty burnt out and I'm going to have a couple of years off at least now."