Hollywood's heart-throb JOAQUIN PHOENIX has problems living up to his hardman image - because he feels he's a wimp.

The 8MM actor found it hard playing gang leader WILLIE GUTIERREZin new flick THE YARDS and spent his time on set hiding from theother actors.

He says, "I'm just a little wuss and my character was so not me. "I spent the whole time going 'F***, I'm with these really tough guys and they're from Queens and MARK (WAHLBERG) he's a real tough kid and they're going to beat me up cause they know I'm a fraud.'" (CAZ/F/RGS)

Source: WENN