Allen wanted Nicholson not Caine for Hannah role

Woody Allen wanted Jack Nicholson to star in Oscar-winning movie 'Hannah and Her Sisters' but couldn't afford his fee - so instead asked Michael Caine.

The 72-year-old filmmaker let slip that Caine - who won an Academy Award for his performance in the film - wasn't his first choice for the part and he would have preferred 'The Shining' star.

Allen tells Britain's Empire magazine: "I couldn't afford Jack Nicholson."

"For Hannah, I wrote the part for an American so I wanted an American actor to

play it."

But the filmmaker reveals that he would be eager to work with Caine again if the right project came up.

He adds: "(And) if I were doing something that required someone British, I would be thrilled if he would do it."