HOLLYWOOD -- One trip to paradise was enough for Cuba Gooding Jr.

Ever since he won an Oscar for his show-stopping performance in Jerry Maguire, Hollywood has been showing Cuba the scripts.

In the $75-million US ethereal drama What Dreams May Come, Gooding stars as an angel who guides newly-deceased Robin Williams through Heaven and Hell.

While he was filming Dreams, Gooding was offered a role opposite Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix in the prison drama Return to Paradise.

"It was the role of a guy who is all gung-ho to save his buddy, but then at the last minute abandons his principles," explains Gooding. "I liked the concept of the film, but I just couldn't sympathize with the character's decision.

"David Conrad did a great job of the role, but I still don't like the character for what he does, so I'm glad I passed on it."

Gooding was also offered roles in several of this summer's action films, but he turned them down because "I want to take really good acting roles as opposed to event movies."

That's why he chose to star in Instinct.

In this psychological drama, Gooding plays a psychiatrist trying to figure out why animal activist Anthony Hopkins went on a killing spree.

"Anthony is a sweet man and an incredible professional. He damaged his Achilles tendon but refused to stop working until the doctors physically removed him from the set."

Instinct had to be put on hold for a month while Hopkins' foot mended.


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