02 August,2011 09:11 AM IST | | Agencies
The Contender actor Gary Oldman says his new spy thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is the "polar opposite" of James Bond.
The 53-year-old takes the role of espionage specialist George Smiley in the film adaptation of the novel by John le Carre.
The actor insists fans of 'Bourne' movies and those featuring the iconic British spy may be disappointed when they watch his movie.
"It is the polar opposite of Bond and it is not The Bourne Identity. It is an intellectual thriller. You have to focus and listen," Oldman said.
Comparing the new adaptation to a BBC TV series made in 1979, Gary says his version is "sexier" and gritty. "It is not such a cozy English affair and it is a bit sexier than before.
The television series is 30 years ago. The Cold War was close and you were closer to the 'commie-watchers' and all of that, which now is in the mists of time," he said.
