RA to do Johnny English 2

Posted: Wed., Apr. 7, 2010.
Universal to make 'Johnny English 2'.
Rowan Atkinson to revise starring role in British spy pic. By TATIANA SIEGEL.
Universal Pictures is bringing back bumbling British spy Johnny English for a follow-up
assignment. Studio and U.K.-based shingle Working Title have quickly assembled a sequel
to 2003 comedy starring Rowan Atkinson and are eyeing an August start date.

The 2003 comedy which cost $US 40 million to make, earned a mere $US 28 million stateside, but
did huge business overseas for a $US 161 million worldwide haul. Move to resuscitate Johnny English
comes on the heels of Uni scrapping its dramatic thriller Cartel five weeks before production
was scheduled to begin, illustrating how the new Universal regime, headed by Donna Langley
and Adam Fogelson, is far more amenable to make a safe comedy rather than risky edgy fare like
Cartel.

Universal has suffered a string of disappointments with recent adult-skewing serious pics like
Public Enemies, State of Play and Green Zone. Speculation has been mounting for months the studio
is moving away from weightier projects and has begun to aim for the box-office funnybone.
Universal greenlit 2 pics just before Easter, both of which are comedies: an untitled Kristen
Wiig starrer being produced by Judd Apatow and the Ryan Reynolds-Jason Bateman vehicle The
Change-Up.

Johnny English 2, which sees Atkinson reprising his role as the Brit baffoon, fits into a similar
mold and will likely be made in the same budget range as the first. Oliver Parker (St. Trinian's)
is onboard direct. Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing and Debra Hayward is
overseeing the project for the company. Former Working Title exec Chris Clark is also producing.
Hamish McColl who wrote another Atkinson starrer, 2007's Mr. Bean's Holiday, penned the screenplay.