- Title: USA: Russell Brand hits red carpet ahead of "Hop" premiere
- Date: 28th March 2011
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES MARSDEN ON WHY HE WAS INTERESTED IN MAKING THE FILM, SAYING: "Every now and then I like to do something for my kids. And, that's, you know--like I've looked forward to this day with all the decorations, and talking about the movie, and we're all going to see it. My kids are doing an egg hunt in the backyard back there." JAMES MARSDEN TALKING TO THE MEDIA VARIOUS
- Embargoed: 12th April 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAC7SSXKXVABOP71XSUHLA3YDLR
- Story Text: British funnymen Russell Brand and Hugh Laurie were among the stars of the new live animation film "Hop" to walk the green carpet Sunday (March 27, 2011) at the Los Angeles area premiere.
The film tells the story of a teenaged rabbit named E.B. who rebels against succeeding his father as the Easter Bunny.
Instead of accepting the duties inherent to his family lineage, E.B. runs away from his home on Easter Island and heads to Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer.
E.B. is voiced by Brand, and is one of the CGI characters in a movie that combines animation with live action.
Brand talked about how he felt portraying a legendary figure who is responsible for an entire holiday.
"It's a great deal of pressure for me," joked Brand, 35. "I now know how Colin Firth felt playing George V. It's a great deal of duty. A lot of heritage. And a huge obligation to get it right."
Brand also talked about why he thought he was a perfect fit for the role.
"I think because he's a cheeky little bunny. And, I've been described as such even before the casting."
Laurie lends his vocal cords to another animated character, the Easter Bunny heading into retirement who is the frustrated father of E.B.
The 51-year-old actor lamented at not being able to work with Brand directly. However, he couched his disappointment in humour.
"When you do animated films, and I don't really know why this is, they won't let actors be together, in the same room. I think they fear they will conspire, plot, or just moan. In fact, maybe people just sit in a booth and moan. So they don't let you do that. We do them one at a time. Which is a great shame, because I would have loved to have--it's the first time I met him actually. And I would have loved to have done some stuff together. But that's the way it is. That's their technique."
James Marsden plays a late-bloomer from a wealthy family named Fred who runs into E.B. while he is trying to pull his life together.
Marsden, 37, said he was drawn to the script in part because it was taking a classic tale and giving it an edgy twist.
"The idea of doing an animated film that was an Easter film that was, you know, relatively subversive for a family movie. It was like Russell Brand as the voice of the Easter Bunny. Oh, that's cool."
Hank Azaria, Kaley Cuoco, Elizabeth Perkins, Tiffany Espensen, and David Hasselhoff also star in the movie.
"Hop" will be released in theatres across North America on Friday, April 1, 2011. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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