Bond spoof `Johnny English` opens this weekend, plus news from the London premiere (photos)

09-Apr-2003 • Event

The BBC have reported that fans turned up at Leicester Square on Sunday 6th April 2003 to see the premiere of the latest Bond spoof - "Johnny English". Rowen Atkinson, famous for mr Bean and Black Adder, takes up the title role.

Atkinson, a racing driver in real life, drove up the red carpet in an Aston Martin Vanquish that is seen in the film.

Atkinson`s character, Johnny English, is a bungling secret agent who was first seen in Barclaycard television commercials in the UK more than a decade ago.

The film was written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who also scribed "The World Is Not Enough" and "Die Another Day".

Australian actress and singer Imbruglia drew most attention in a floor-length scarlet Valentino dress.

Playing English`s sidekick and love interest, it is her first major acting role since starring in TV soap Neighbours in the early 1990s.

"Clearly Mr Bean couldn`t expect to get that sort of love interest but as Johnny English it`s a different story," Atkinson told reporters.

The film, which will be released in the UK on Friday, was directed by Sliding Doors film-maker Peter Howitt.

Malkovich appears as French mogul Pascal Sauvage, who hatches a plot to steal the crown jewels but comes up against English.

Click here to view the trailer.