Dec 27, 2008, 4:00 GMT
Ray Winstone suggested improvements for 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' to Steven Spielberg.
Notes from Ray- Steven Spielberg - 2008 Cannes Film Festival - "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" Premiere - Arrivals - Palais de Festival - Cannes, France © Pixplanete / PR Photos
The British actor has revealed he sent ideas about how to develop his character in the film to Steven before agreeing to take on the role.
Ray - who played George 'Mac' Michale in the action blockbuster - said: "Steven rang me up and I said, 'I'm not being funny, but I want to see a script before I commit.' I suppose I was giving it large. I've been doing this a long time and I'm not interested in a bit part. So the script came over and I made suggestions about it.
"It was my idea that my character should be a double agent. Really top directors love you being able to bring something to the table."
Ray, 51, also insists he has not developed a big ego since appearing alongside stars including Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Departed' and Anthony Hopkins in 'Beowulf'.
He added: "You've just got to work don't you? Same job, bigger budget, bigger stars. Working with Harrison Ford on 'Indiana Jones...' or Leonardo DiCaprio on 'The Departed' is all right. It's cool.
"Well, apart from the fact that it took me 30 years to get here and it only took them about two weeks!"
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