Los Angeles, Aug 5 (IANS): Actor Ryan Reynolds says he is scared of taking up new movie roles.

"There's s**t-in-your-pants fear around every corner because I'm usually stepping out of a comfort zone that I haven't done before in a film. But that's the wonder of it, the beauty of it," Reynolds said.

But the 36-year-old likes to play a variety of different characters and carefully selects his projects, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The actor, who is married to actress Blake Lively, also admitted that he is extremely critical of his own work, but feels that the self-reflection drives him to be a better actor.

"I can't say I've ever patted myself on the back and maybe that's what keeps me going, and that's a good thing. It speaks volumes about how I perceive myself. Like a lot of people, I've got a self-loathing streak that's alive and well. It acts as a de facto engine when I'm working, but it also has its extraordinary pitfalls, too," he said.