Jeff Bridges - Jeff Bridges Concerned About John Wayne Comparisons In True Grit

Jeff Bridges Concerned About John Wayne Comparisons In True Grit

Jeff Bridges wasn't sure it was necessary to remake 'True Grit' before accepting his role.

The Oscar-winning actor - who plays a tough marshal helping a 14-year-old girl find the man who murdered her father in the Joel and Ethan Coen remake - was worried about following in the footsteps of legendary country and western actor John Wayne, who starred in the 1969 original.

When asked if he had to think about accepting the role he said: "To be honest, a little bit. I was curious as to why they'd want to remake that film, but they said, 'We don't want to remake the film, we're making the book. We're not referencing the movie.'

"I was happy. It meant I didn't have to try to emulate John Wayne, I could approach it how I wanted."

Jeff and the Coen Brothers are set to open next year's Berlin International Film Festival with the film on February 10, where it will screen as an international premiere out of competition.

The 61 year old spoke of what it's like to work with director brothers again after he filmed 'The Big Lebowski' with them 12 years ago.

He told Time Out London: "Joel's cut his ponytail, but everything else was pretty much the same! They have a great family of artists gathered around them. From the make-up guys to the prop guys to Roger Deakins the cinematographer, it's all folks they've worked with before. It's a very relaxed feel."