Jude Law Says ‘Alfie’ Was “Bad Move” After Oscar Noms: “I Was Probably Paid Too Much”

Glenn Garner
·2-min read

Despite his many memorable leading man performances over the years, Jude Law has at least one regret in his filmography.

The 2x Oscar nominee recently reflected on director Charles Shyer’s 2004 remake of Alfie as a “bad move” for his career following Academy Award-nominated performances in Cold Mountain (2003) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

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“I was in a really strong position [at that time] because I’d just had another [Oscar] nomination on the back of Cold Mountain, and for Alfie to be the film I chose to do quite soon after that, I think was a bad move,” Law told British GQ.

After Michael Caine portrayed the titular playboy in the original 1966 film, followed by Alan Price in the 1975 sequel Alfie Darling, Law was left underwhelmed by an early screening of his own rendition.

“I just felt it hadn’t elevated [the material] and felt a little light, a little too cheesy,” he admitted. “I think it was made for too much money, and I was probably paid too much money, which I underestimated at the time. I kicked myself that I’d done something that was leaning into the heartthrob and the charismatic lead and it hadn’t worked.”

Sienna Miller and Jude Law in <em>Alfie</em> (2004). (Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection)
Sienna Miller and Jude Law in Alfie (2004). (Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection)

Alfie stars Law as a British limo driver in New York City, whose sex addiction leads him to many an affair with the wealthy women he chauffeurs. Although he attempts to make monogamy work, he ultimately ends up hurting the people he cares most about.

The star-studded cast also features Marisa Tomei, Susan Sarandon, Jane Krakowski, Sienna Miller, Omar Epps and Nia Long.

The Paramount Pictures remake grossed $35 million worldwide on a reported $60 million budget. It currently holds a 48% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.

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