Garrett Hedlund has found it difficult to leave 'On the Road' behind.

Garrett Hedlund finds it difficult to leave 'On the Road' behind.

The actor and model 'immersed' himself in the works of Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg for five years before filming the adaption of Kerouac's cult novel - set in the 40s and featuring all three writers - and it has left a lasting impression on him.

He said: 'It's not easy to leave 'On the Road' behind because I'm such a fan of the generation, such a fan of the material.

'After five years of reading the material and immersing yourself in the jazz, it's not like you want to deplete or delete that experience.'

Garrett also met his girlfriend, Kirsten Dunst, on the set and the pair have been inseparable since their first date canoe trip - when they capsized.

He said: 'I took her out on a 3am canoe ride. It was not a stable canoe. We fell out and had to swim back in mucky, s****y water, like golf-pond water.'

Garrett also paid tribute to director Walter Salles for the way 'On the Road' - which was met with mixed reviews from critics - turned out.

He added: 'I loved the process of making the movie, you can't take back those miles. I just feel so honoured to be part of it. My love for Walter Salles, I can't put a number on that. I wouldn't trade it for the world.'