Penelope Cruz says shooting a movie is like going on a first date.

The ‘Broken Embraces’ actress gets very nervous before starting a new film and gets the same feelings she has when a man takes her out.

She said: “In terms of the work, it always seems like it’s a first date. I mean, every time I go to the movie set and start a project, I feel the same feeling - the butterflies in the stomach, not having control over it - because acting is like that. That’s the beauty of it. You can always keep learning. There’s always more.”

Penelope - who is rumoured to be pregnant with her first child - also feels privileged to have had such a successful acting career.

The Spanish beauty said: “I’ve been very fortunate to be able to make a living out of acting since I was 17. Very, very fortunate, and I’m aware of it.”