Katy Perry & Russell Brand at Dec. 6th premiere of "The Tempest" (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage)

Actor Russell Brand delves into the world of Shakespeare, as he plays Trinculo in director Julie Taymor’s cinematic adaptation of The Tempest. The project is a creative departure for Mr. Brand, who is known for such comedies as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek. “It was a phenomenal experience.  I suppose initially I thought like ‘oh, Julie Taymor is one of the best female directors and Helen Mirren’s one of the best female actors,’” said Brand, who also stars with Mirren in a remake of Arthur, a project set for release next year.  “But as I became immersed in the experience, I felt these are some of the best people working in this medium regardless of sex organs…and sex organs aside or between, put them where you will, it’s a phenomenal piece of text.”  In a press conference promoting The Tempest, Brand gave a rather impressive explanation of the play’s themes.  Click on the media bar and listen to Brand discuss the “essential power of femininity.”

The Tempest, co-starring Djimon Hounsou and Alan Cumming, opens Friday.

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posted by Greg Srisavasdi