(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Tyler Perry is determined not to gain back the weight he lost for new action film Alex Cross.

The 6ft 6in, 225lb filmmaker shed 30lbs to play the title character in the adaptation of James Patterson's best-selling novel, Cross.

The star told Us Weekly he would have lost even more weight if he thought possible.

"I don't put that kind of pressure on myself. I do the absolute best I can do. I wanted to be 20lbs lighter than I was, but it is what it is," he said.

Tyler took up Israeli martial art Krav Maga to lose the weight.

He also completely revamped his diet.

Now, the 43-year-old star is no longer recognisable as the man behind the Madea film franchise.

And he wants to keep it that way.

"I just feel really confident. I feel good," he said, adding, "The Krav Maga really helps to keep [the weight] off. And I'm laying off the doughnuts."

Tyler co-stars with Matthew Fox in the new Rob Cohen film Alex Cross.

The movie hit cinemas in the US today. (C) Cover Media