Nicole Kidman texted a photo to Lee in all these different provocative positions, she confesses.

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?''

© Bang Showbiz