KIEFER SUTHERLAND - SUTHERLAND DEMANDS DINNER DATE FROM FARRELL

KIEFER SUTHERLAND agreed to lend his voice to the unseen sniper in COLIN FARRELL's hit new movie PHONE BOOTH - as long as he could dine with the Irishman.

The 24 star originally turned the role down, but reconsidered after watching Farrell's intense performances in early screenings.

He says, "I basically watched the whole movie and Colin Farrell's performance in it was so breathtaking. I insisted we had lunch together.

"I told him, 'I don't know if someone offered me this if I would've taken it. I don't think I would've had the courage.'

"As an actor I can't impress upon people enough how difficult it was for him to play that lead role.

"It was like watching a great lead guitar player and all of a sudden the bass player comes in and they just needed a drummer to kind of fill in the holes and that's me, and as long as I didn't get in the other two guys' way we could make this work. Colin delivers a performance that I think is astonishing."