(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Josh Brolin had "no idea" his infamous altercation with his wife Diane Lane would have "that kind of consequence".

The 44-year-old actor was arrested on a misdemeanour charge of domestic battery in 2004 after Diane called police to their home in Los Angeles. Josh confirms the couple had been arguing, but insists the actress just wanted to shock him by alerting the law.

"We both had no idea that it was going to have that kind of consequence. It was post-O. J. Simpson, so if a domestic disturbance call is made somebody has to go to jail," he said in an interview with British newspaper The Times. "That's just the way it is. I had the cops apologising to me all the way to jail, and then my wife picked me up after it. She felt bad about it because she had no idea.

"If people really think that happened, and they're angry about it, I can't fault them. But do you honestly think that my wife would stay with me if that happened? It's more of an insult to her than it is to me. We've dealt with it ourselves. But we know it's out there as an issue."

Josh whose father is actor James Brolin also spoke about his troubled younger years.

The star's parents divorced when he was a teenager and he reportedly became involved with a gang of punk rockers.

He admits his life could have taken a very different path, but he is reluctant to discuss his past in any great detail.

"Yes, that still stands," he replied, when asked if he still refuses to talk about his time with the gang. "18 of those friends that I had back then have died Drugs, mostly. And some criminal activity. None of it was OK. It turns out, I was very lucky."

Nowadays, Josh insists he enjoys a quiet and settled life.

He and Diane like driving to the desert and he has no interest in running wild anymore.

"I think when I was younger I felt the need to push, and keep pushing. Well, I don't feel that need any more," he explained. "I think that it's OK to be boring." (C) Cover Media