Michael Caine has cast aspersions on the abilities and attitude of young actors he claims are just interested in fame and wealth, and who "can't really act".
The veteran performer, who won two Oscars for roles in Woody Allen's 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters and 1999's Cider House Rules, has featured in over 100 films since his breakthrough in the 1960s.
Earlier this week there was a royal reception hosted by Prince Charles for British Academy Award winners with the likes of Caine, Emma Thompson, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and Colin Firth in attendance.
Speaking to The Telegraph at the event, Caine was unequivocal in his view on young actors and their reasons for entering the industry.
"They just say, 'I'm going to be an actor because I want to be rich and famous'," he said. "And then they do a little part on television and everyone knows who they are. They can't really act.
"I knew I wasn't going to be rich, I knew I wasn't going to be famous, I knew I wasn't going to be a movie star, I just wanted to be a good actor, that's all."
Fellow attendee Emma Thompson also put the boot in movie studios for cynically using a star's social media following as a consideration when casting a film.
"We're casting actors who have big followings so the studios can use their followings to sell their movie," said Thompson, who won Oscars in 1992 and 1995.
"The actors are becoming attached in the sort of business way to their social media profiles, and I think that's a disaster."
