OLIVER STONE - OLIVER STONE: WHY I CAST COLIN FARRELL

Director OLIVER STONE is delighted he managed to recruit COLIN FARRELL for the lead role of ALEXANDER THE GREAT in his new movie - even though he has the wrong colour hair.

The OSCAR-winner initially shunned the prospect of signing the PHONE BOOTH hunk, but now accepts his misconception was based on the fact Farrell's locks are dark, unlike ALEXANDER who was blond.

Oliver says, "I never thought he could be Alexander because he was dark.

"I did the test for Colin just to see if he could go blond. He walked in and all of the wigs were bad and cheap, but he was beautiful blond.

"Not only that, he's got that spirit of a rebel. Colin's the right age, he's the right time, he's got the right build, he was just right."