The Name Is English, Johnny English

[webfact]

The name is English, Johnny English

By Manta Klangboonkrong

The Nation

Macau

Rowan Atkinson spoofs it up in high-kicking sequel style as a secret agent in Macau

Rowan Atkinson, one of the world's favourite comic actors, is back in action in the sequel to his well-known spy-spoof. "Johnny English Reborn", as the film is known, is scheduled to hit the silver screen later this year.

In the years since MI7's top spy dropped off the grid, Johnny English has been honing his unique skills in a remote region of Asia. But when his agency learns about a group of international assassins that needs to be stopped before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos, they must hunt down the highly unorthodox agent. Now that the world needs him again, Johnny English is back in action.

Following the success of 2003's "Johnny English", Atkinson resumes the role of the secret agent who fears no danger. This time around, the cast includes Gillian Anderson as MI7's director as well as Dominic West, Rosamund Pike and Daniel Kaluuya.

We caught Atkinson while he was causing mayhem in a Macau casino.

How's it going with the film?

Oh, well, it's strange to be talking about a film when it's not even finished - we've only done three-quarters of it. I have the feeling that it has gone well. The jokes seem to work, and that's very encouraging. But the pressure of editing, in which I am involved, is different and you could make a whole new film, a completely different one if you wanted. It's a fascinating process, and I find it more relaxing, actually, than making a film.

What's this one like?

There's a lot more action in this film. We sort of done it the wrong way 'round, really. We should have done more stunts when I was younger whereas now I'm doing the exact opposite. I had to do three fights this film, and I remember doing no fights in the first one - Natalie Imbruglia did most of the fighting.

And how did you cope with that?

I tried not to get too close to the edge. I had to do a little bit on a crane that crosses the roofs in Hong Kong. I'm not very good with heights so we had this brilliant guy called William to do the jumping and running for me. We've got a fight scene in Hong Kong Harbour; it was good fun but left me extremely exhausted for two days. We also have a car chase involving a high-powered wheelchair - invented by the British Intelligence - that can go incredibly fast!

Any accidents?

I pulled a muscle in my right calf just before we left for Hong Kong. I've never had a pulled muscle before because I'm not a premiership footballer, and it's very disabling. Thanks to our great physiotherapist, I was mostly recovered when we started shooting.

What do you like the most about your character?

He's very funny. I don't like him because he's vain, but it's funny that he's so vain. He's a nice person, a good-hearted man, whereas I've never regarded Mr Bean as a good-hearted man. He's selfish and a natural-born anarchist. Johnny English is less of a child than Mr Bean and I enjoy playing him. I like the fact that Johnny English is quite good at little things but for the critical things he's not as good as he thinks he is. You know that when Johnny English looks confident, trouble is around the corner.

Are you enjoying working with Gillian Anderson?

She's good. It's always difficult for actors and actresses who are used to serious work. The strange thing is it's the same job, but they think it's a different job. They're thinking of trying to be funny but most of the time it's not. We try to cast these roles as if we're casting for a James Bond movie. We want that gravitas. We didn't want comedy performers because we want this contrast.

Do you compare Johnny English with Austin Powers?

I like Mike Myers. I like the Austin Powers movies and I find them very, very funny. And our challenge is trying to being different in tone and theory in the same area. Here we've got a bit of a plot going on that you need to follow.

What's the idea then?

We're quite happy to make jokes about failure, and as you know James Bond is never allowed to fail. He could be a victim, but can't fail. We also make jokes about age, because obviously Johnny English is older than Bond. I always think that there's a rule for an old James Bond, and I like the idea of James Bond at 85 and how he would deal with life. We hint that in this film.

How do you like being in Asia?

I came to Hong Kong in 1983 when it was still a British colony. It has changed so much and so fast. It's much more commercial with endless shopping malls. But I don't get to go out much because when you have a break in the shooting you're too tired to do anything.

Do a lot of Asian fans come up and greet you?

I don't travel very much. And it's fascinating to be coming here to Macau and Hong Kong because you feel that you're as recognised as much you are in Britain. If people see me in London they're not surprised because that's the place you'd expect me to be. Here, I'm like an exotic bird that has flown in and hasn't been seen for 50 years.

-- The Nation 2011-04-02

[zzaa09]

He still has it after all this years.......frankly, I believe he might be rather overlooked as one of the all time greats.

[jaapfries]

He still has it after all this years.......frankly, I believe he might be rather overlooked as one of the all time greats.

I couldn't agree more; R.A. is a unique and extremely funny actor, famous & loved all over the world, because as 'Mr.Bean' there's no issues of language-barriers, since he talks virtually none.

From a friend, who's also a longtime friend of R.A., it turns-out that this (triple Uni. Degree-holder) is,in fact, a very serious and fairly shy person,in real life. He's very much into Buddhism and a very thoughtful guy.He most certainly has my vote for an Oscar next time 'round !!

[Shipwreck]

Most Thai people I have mentioned Mr Bean to have expressed enjoyment of his antics.

I suspect this sequel will be a hit amongst the Thais.