STEPPING into the shoes of Dustin Hoffman might be cause enough for panic in some actors, but not Adam Godley.

The Amersham-born performer is currently starring as autistic Raymond Babbitt in the West End version of Rain Man, a role made famous in the original 1988 film by Hoffman, who won an Academy Award for best actor.

Adam stars with Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett, who last month made his London stage debut with his portrayal of Raymond’s self-obsessed brother, Charlie, played by Tom Cruise in the film.

But all this mention of A-list names has done little to dissuade Adam from taking on what is undoubtedly a challenging role.

If anything, the Olivier Award nominated actor, who has also secured film roles in Nanny McPhee, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and Love Actually, has embarked on his new project with relish.

“Dustin Hoffman is my hero and actually it’s thrilling to be working on this role,” says Adam, who grew up in Chorleywood, but now lives permanently in Los Angeles. “I’ve played lots of parts by famous actors and they did their thing, and I do mine. When I’m playing Raymond, it’s not in my head at all that Hoffman did this as well. It just doesn’t figure.”

The 44-year-old is equally adamant that “what we are doing on stage is not the film”. He adds: “I think after a few minutes the audience forgets the movie and experiences our version of it. Of course, there are still all those iconic moments from the film, but it’s the story that’s the interesting thing, not how closely we’ve mimicked the screen version.

"Judging by how audiences have received us so far, it’s undeniable that it works. Their response has been amazing.”

Based on the original screenplay by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass, and directed by Terry Johnson, Rain Man revolves around Adam’s character, Raymond, an autistic who has spent most of his adult life hidden away in an institution, but who is also blessed with a genius for remembering numbers.

Unaware of his existence until his father dies, brother Charlie tracks Raymond down and attempts to use his number-crunching talents for his own ends. But their meeting actually turns out to be a true life-changing experience for both men.

Adam adds: “They are two brothers who have become disconnected, but as the story progresses they rediscover that bond. It’s a highly powerful and emotional story.”

Although never having worked together before, Adam tells me he had an “instant rapport” with his co-star, Josh Hartnett.

He says of the Pearl Harbor actor: “We have a very similar approach to rehearsals and work and we’ve formed a real bond, which translates well on to the stage.

"The chemistry was always important for this play and we’ve been very fortunate that it just works with us.” He adds: “Josh is very inspiring to work with, and he’s a fantastic actor – that’s the bottom line.”

Adam’s latest venture comes in a long line of successes on the stage, as well as the silver screen. He has twice been nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award, for his roles in Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle, and Dick, and later in Mouth to Mouth.

He also won the Theatre World Award for his stint in the Broadway version of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. In recent years, Adam has turned his attention to film and secured roles in, among many others, Son of Rambow and The X Files.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be working and doing a job I love,” he reflects. The multi-talented actor tells me he first fell in love with the stage when he was nine years old, when every Saturday morning he would “religiously” travel off to a drama group in Stanmore. By the time he was a student at Rickmansworth School, Adam knew where his future career lay.

He openly tells me: “I wasn’t brilliantly happy at school, and in fact I found it hard to fit in. I wasn’t academic or sporty, but drama club was where I felt most confident. I thought I could do a good job when I was up on stage.”

Never looking back, Adam says he will draw upon his years of experience to help him through possibly one of his most challenging, yet satisfying, roles to date.

“The thing I feel most is an emotional responsibility to portray this character, who has autism, both accurately and respectfully,” explains Adam, who visited a centre in Surrey during his research to meet people with autism.

“My intention is not to exploit the condition, but to show how someone can be wired differently.”

Rain Man, starring Josh Hartnett and Adam Godley, runs at the Apollo Theatre, London, until Saturday, December 20. Details: 0844 412 4658 or www.rainmanonstage.com