Actor Clive Owen is in secret talks with Dalkey-based director Jim Sheridan about a major movie project. The Diary can reveal that the British heartthrob met up with Sheridan when he jetted into Dublin last week to launch the first Jameson Film Experience.

Asked if he was a fan of Sheridan's work, Owen (44) told the Diary, "It's really funny you should ask me about Jim. I'm meeting him in about an hour's time for a chat. I've met him a couple of times, but this is the first time we're sitting down to talk.

"I love his work. Any actor would because of stuff as good as My Left Foot or In The Name Of The Father."

Although Owen refused to reveal the theme of the film, there could be a co-starring role in the movie for another of Sheridan's long-time collaborators, Wicklow-based actor Daniel Day Lewis.

"I love Daniel's performance in There Will Be Blood. It's one of the best films I've seen in years. Daniel's a very talented man," Owen told me.

Owen and Sheridan's mutual friend, Terry George, could also be drafted in as screenwriter. The Belfast writer/ director penned In The Name Of The Father.

Owen, who has starred in several blockbusters including The Bourne Identity with Matt Damon, says he would love to shoot a film in Ireland again, after working on King Arthur at Ardmore Studios in 2004.

"It was a hugely enjoyable experience because of the horses. Not the horses in the film, the ones at the Curragh. I'm really into horse racing. It's a big part of my life. When I'm down, I'm always looking to come over to Ireland and go racing."

However, the father of two, who lives in north London with his actress wife Sarah Jane Fenton, said he had to abandon plans to join his Irish horsey pals at this year's Cheltenham racing festival.

"Usually I'd never miss Cheltenham but that's the week my new film Duplicity opens. I'm not missing it completely though. I'm hoping to get there for the Tuesday and then get back to London. I expect to be putting a few quid on JP McManus."

On Tuesday night Owen took part in a live stage interview in Dublin's Academy venue about his role as the anti-hero in the cult film Sin City, based on the comics by Sam Miller.

Highlight of the night was Owen reading out a phone message from his friend, Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke, who texted him to say, "You're a lucky f***er, Dublin is the best city in the whole world!"