Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn is desperate to work as a director again because he believes it is a far easier job than working in front of the cameras.

Ireland Online quoted the 44-year-old star, who was director of "The Crossing Guard" in 1995 and "The Pledge" in 2001, as saying: "There's no question in my mind that the actor has the hardest job (on films) because you are sitting there carrying the imaginary life through the hours and the days.

"It stops and starts, it's a sprint. The director is running a marathon that he can control. It's tangible, much better."