"Flight"- star Denzel Washington says he never picks his roles with their award potential on mind.

STUDIOCANAL-EPK -  Sixth time Oscar nominee Denzel Washington does not pick his film roles according to their Oscar potential.

"I don't (pick roles according to their Oscar potential), because you could be wrong", Washington said, laughing heartily. "And you are not playing the part for that reason. You want to first play the part, to do the best job you can do with it. Then, whatever happens, happens."

The film follows Whip Whitaker (Washington), an airline pilot who makes a miraculous landing and saves the lives of most of the 102 passengers and crew.

But a problem arises when it transpires that Whip was over the legal alcohol limit during his heroics and the authorities soon become aware of the issue.

As the investigation into the crash begins, Whip's drinking becomes more uncontrollable.

The film has also been nominated for one other Oscar. John Gatins is up for the Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen).

"Bob (director Robert Zemeckis), John (script writer John Gatins) and I would sit around and just pick it apart, why is this, why is that," Washington said. "It was a good process. It helps me to figure out the character and to hear it from the writer's point of view, what his intention was. John had struggled with addiction in his own life, he's been sober now for, I don't know, 15 years. And he also has a fear of flying. So it was interesting to hear his perspective."

Washington put on weight for the role to make his performance more realistic.

The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis who is best known for feel-good movies like "Forrest Gump" and "Back to the Future." This is a departure from his usual style, as it deals with emotionally damaged people, alcoholism and religion.

Zemeckis told Reuters: "This film is ripe with moral ambiguity. I think story telling in Hollywood nowadays is pretty mindless, you know. I don't think there is much for audiences to have to think about in most films that are made."

"Flight" has grossed around $93 million (US Dollars) in the United States and is due for a staggered release across Europe from 24 January until the end of February.