The 47-year-old star - who has daughter Lily-Rose, 11, and son Jack, nine, with his long-term partner Vanessa Paradis - thinks he has become a better person as he has got older, but admits he doesn't always feel like he has fully grown up, comparing himself with the fictional character who had a never ending childhood.

Johnny said: "I've managed to change in a few regards. I'm not as selfish as I used to be and I'm more sensitive.

"But for heaven's sake - you can't take yourself too seriously. I haven't actually quite grown up yet. At least once a day the Peter Pan In Me takes over."

Johnny - who played 'Peter Pan' creator J. M. Barrie in 2004 semi-biographical film 'Finding Neverland' - insists his family are his number one priority, and he is grateful that his movie success means he doesn't have to worry about providing for them.

He said: "Vanessa and the kids are the only thing I need to be happy. Everything else isn't priority.

"I don't think I have to worry about being able to feed my family and myself."

The actor will next be seen reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for the fourth time in 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' but he revealed that Disney bosses almost fired him before he had even finished filming the first movie because they were unhappy with his portrayal of the character.

He explained to Germany's Playboy magazine: "Back then, when the Disney bosses saw the first samples they started to panic and didn't want anything to do with that freak - which is what they called me. They thought my Jack Sparrow was too gay, too stoned, too spaced out."

However, after shooting the first take he realised "the whole crew was wetting itself with laughter" and decided he "had to take the risk".