Michael Caine's legs are just the part

Michael Caine only realised how attractive his legs were when he pulled on a pair of tights and heels for his latest comedy role.

A female double was originally going to show the star sauntering down a staircase dressed as a woman – until the director realised Caine had a better pair of pins.

“I’ve got great legs,” the 70-year-old said ahead of tonight’s launch of The Actors.

“I didn’t realise until I had those tights on then I saw myself in high heels.

“I thought ’Those are great legs for a woman’.”

In the film he plays one of two eccentric actors who start hanging out with local criminals at Dublin’s roughest pub while researching the character of Richard III.

He gets embroiled in a plot to steal a large sum of cash with the help of the young niece of sidekick Tom (Dylan Moran) and takes on a range of disguises.

The Actors was shot in the Dublin and nearby Co Wicklow over two months in 2002. It was directed by Dubliner Conor McPherson.

Caine – who starred in Educating Rita in Ireland 20 years ago – told of his nostalgia at returning to the Republic.

“I’m very used to Dublin and the theatrical side of it,” he said.

“It was a very theatrical city with all the old pubs, it’s an amazing place.

“Filming this was an extremely nostalgic thing for me.”

He said Dublin had changed immensely since he starred in Educating Rita.

“It became a whole different place, much more prosperous.

“The Common Market was a very good thing for Ireland.”

Sir Michael said he admired the latest generation of actors and said he recently met Dubliner Colin Farrell at the Academy Awards.

“He’s a very good actor,” he said.

“His off-scene life is quite a drama too.”

He joked about Farrell being quite an active person, even “hyperactive“.

“You know how the first thing they take away from hyperactive kids is ketchup? I think they stopped Colin’s ketchup.”

As well as Michael Caine and Dylan Moran the film features Sir Michael Gambon, Lena Headey and Miranda Richardson, along with a range of Irish stars.

Members of the cast are to attend the world premiere at Dublin’s Savoy cinema tonight, and the film will go on general release from 16 May.