JUDE LAW STEPS INTO MICHAEL CAINE'S SHOES AS 'ALFIE'

April 9, 2003Apr 9, 2003, 11:00 PM GMT+1

Jude Law has beaten off competition from some of Hollywood's biggest male stars to play Alfie, one of Britain's most-loved characters. The charming philanderer first found a place in movie-goers' hearts back in 1968 with Michael Caine in the lead role.

Brad Pitt and Colin Farrell were both in the running to play the eponymous bed-hopper in Alfie 2, but it was London-born Jude who eventually won the coveted lead. "Studio bosses are sure that Jude is ideal to take over the role made famous by Michael Caine," said a Paramount Studios executive.

The story follows a cockney ladykiller as he finds out the hard way about the dangers of promiscuity. His preference for a series of casual encounters over any serious commitment eventually costs him his happiness.

The new flick will also deliver Jude's biggest paycheque to date, as he is to receive a whopping $10 million for his efforts.

The new version will see Jude narrating his character's life-story, sometimes straight to the camera, just as Michael Caine did in the original

The original movie became a cult classic and made a relatively unknown Michael Caine into a major star

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