Mirren: 'Brand made me want to do Arthur'

Helen Mirren has admitted that she was "seduced" into starring in the remake of Arthur by Russell Brand.

The actress stars as the nanny who is hired to look after Brand's character, who is the drunken billionaire of the title role, originally played by Dudley Moore.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: "He totally seduced me, the way he does. I defy any male or female to spend two hours with him and not be completely charmed and not say, 'Yeah, fine, I'll do whatever you want.'"

When asked previously, the Gosford Park star told the site that she did not especially like the first version.

In comparison, comedian-turned-actor Brand has spoken about how similar he was to Arthur.

The two have previously worked together in the Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest.

Mirren was recently honoured by casting her hands and feet in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Introducing her at the ceremony, Brand described her as an "empress, deity and God's representative here on earth".