Damned United pressure for Michael Sheen

Mar 24, 2009, 10:20 GMT

British actor Michael Sheen. The \'Frost/Nixon\' star - who plays the late legendary British soccer manager Brian Clough in \'The Damned United\' - knew he had to portray the icon accurately because of his huge fan base. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Michael Sheen felt under "pressure" in his new movie.

The 'Frost/Nixon' star - who plays the late legendary British soccer manager Brian Clough in 'The Damned United' - knew he had to portray the icon accurately because of his huge fan base.

Michael - who has depicted former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on two occasions - explained: "With all the affection and admiration there still is for the man, it was a huge responsibility. I have never felt pressure like it - more pressure than Blair - because Clough is so loved."

The 40-year-old star also said the film was made with "love, affection and respect" in memory of the late Nottingham Forest and Derby County manager.

But the movie - which is based on a David Peace novel - has been boycotted by Brian's family because they opposed the original book.

He said: "I can understand why they are wary about the film because the book is very dark. I am hoping that word will trickle back to them that this film is made with love, affection and respect and is trying to do a service to the memory of him."

Speaking of the soccer icon, Michael added to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "He was unique. You will never again get a team which go from the bottom of the second division to the top of the league, with the same manager. And he did it twice - and won two European Cups. He is like a mixture of Jose Mourinho, Alex Ferguson, Simon Cowell and Oscar Wilde."