Michael Douglas says he is optimistic about his treatment for throat cancer and happy to have a movie like "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" to promote.

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The film is the sequel to Oliver Stone's 1987 drama "Wall Street." In it, Douglas reprises his iconic role of Gordon Gekko, the ruthless corporate raider he won an Oscar for playing in the first flick.

Talking to reporters in Manhattan recently, the 65-year-old New Jersey native joked about the free publicity his personal life has been generating for the film.

"Well, it didn't cost Fox a lot of money. There's not a lot of marketing dollars involved here," Douglas said.

"It's an unfortunate timing situation," he added more seriously at the press conference. "I'm doing fine. I'm proud of the picture. My doctors are optimistic. I'm optimistic. Obviously, the combination of radiation every day and chemo limits a full day (of work.) But everybody did a fantastic job and life goes on. This is just another chapter. I've had a pretty good run of it. This was a pretty bad year, so it's going to be topped off with a really good movie."

Asked if he is enjoying any guilty pleasures while he undergoes treatment for the cancer, Douglas confessed he lately has been cutting down a little work-wise to take care of his health issues.

"One of the guilty pleasures (I have) is I didn't have to do the junket today," he said, referring to the marathon of media interviews in which actors usually participate when publicizing an eagerly awaited feature film such as 'Wall Street.'"

"I am very grateful to (my co-stars and director for picking up the slack.) It's hard work. I'm just taking it a day at a time. -- And resting. I don't have anything to do. It couldn't have picked a better time -- tennis has never been better. College football just started -- So, sports looks really good and, to top it off, we've got a picture that's rocking."

"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is in theaters now.