Rowan Atkinson to reprise 007 spoof role in "Johnny English Reborn"

10-Jul-2010 • Bond Style

Back in April, when EON were announcing that Bond 23 was on hiatus due to MGM's financial mess, Universal was busy resurrecting the 2003 James Bond spoof "Johnny English" for a 2011 sequel.

Although the first film made less than $28 million domestically, the Rowan Atkinson film took in $161 million worldwide. Atkinson will reprise his role as the title character in ""Johnny English Reborn". The film has been said to be in the same vein as the original, in terms of story and budget ($40 million).

Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade worked on the original first draft of "English", before the events of September 11th, 2001, caused a later re-write. Hamish McColl has written the screenplay for the sequel, and he also wrote the 2007 film Mr. Bean's Holiday, which also starred Atkinson. St. Trinian's director Oliver Parker has been attached to direct the sequel.

For the 2003 adventure, Rowan Atkinson was paired off with female foil Natalie Imbruglia. Deadline is reporting X Files star Gillian Anderson has been cast as 'MI7' secret agent Pamela Head. Daniel Kaluuya will play a fellow agent alongside Atkinson.

Produced by Working Title, the film starts shooting in September.