Wilson 'doing well' says director

Wilson (l), Schwartzman and Brody play brothers crossing India

US actor Owen Wilson is "doing well", according to film-maker Wes Anderson, following reports of an attempted suicide just over a week ago.

Wilson, 38, pulled out of the premiere of new film The Darjeeling Limited at the Venice Film Festival, to recuperate at his home in California.

"Obviously he has been through quite a lot this week," said Anderson, who directs Owen in the forthcoming comedy.

"I can tell you he has been doing very well, he has been making us laugh."

"When he's ready he's going to speak for himself much better than any of us could," added close friend Anderson, who has worked with Wilson on a number of occasions.

"He has got a very good way with words."

The pair were jointly nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay for The Royal Tenenbaums in 2002.

Privacy appeal

Wilson was taken to hospital on August 26 after reportedly cutting his wrists at his Santa Monica home. He was discharged over the weekend.

"He wishes he could be here in Venice with all of you now," Anderson told reporters. "We all miss having him here with us."

Director Anderson (r) was joined in Venice by actor Adrien Brody

"In the meantime, I would like to ask you to help us to protect his privacy and to respect his wishes."

The Darjeeling Limited tells the story of three brothers who set off on a train journey across India in a bid to heal their fractured relationship.

Co-star Adrien Brody, who joined Anderson in the Italian city for the film's world premiere, praised Wilson's "incredible talent".

"Owen has a tremendous sense of humour and he's very mischievous. It was really a pleasure to work with him," said Brody.

The film, also starring Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray, is in competition for the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion.

Wilson's previous films include Wedding Crashers, Starsky & Hutch and Zoolander.