Nicole Kidman sexy texts to director

Nicole Kidman sent 'provocative' text messages to Lee Daniels to land her role in 'Paperboy'.

The director was reluctant to cast such a big-name actress in the low-budget movie - which sees Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey play two brothers investigating the case of a death row inmate played by John Cusack - so Nicole went to extreme lengths to get him to agree to cast her as a sex-crazed woman obsessed with marrying a convicted killer.

She explained: 'Lee said, 'Look, we've got no money, you're going to have to do your own hair and make-up.

'So I actually went into my bathroom and I got out the fake tan and put on fake eyelashes and got a hairpiece thing that was platinum, threw it all on and texted a photo to Lee in all these different provocative positions. That's how it came together.

'What he sent back I can't say, but it was a thumbs up.'

Zac also enjoyed appearing in the movie because he was 'in love' with his co-star.

Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival at a press conference for the film, he said: 'I have been in love with her for a long time, since 'Moulin Rouge!'. It was the best opportunity in the world for me, and I loved every moment.'

And Lee was pleased with his cast - particularly a scene where Zac is out in the rain in just his underwear.

The director joked: 'He's a good-looking guy. And I'm gay. What do you want?'