So he's returning to stand-up

Russell Brand says he’s returning to stand-up because starring in movies left him feeling ‘unfulfilled’.

Although his Hollywood career never took off after the Arthur remake recorded disappointing box office returns, Brand says his return to live comedy is driven by the desire to express himself freely.

Speaking to promote his Brand X TV show, which starts on Sky Atlantic tomorrow, the comic said of his film career: ‘I started to feel a little bit unfulfilled. I missed being around an audience, I missed being really honest and truthful.’

He told the Sunday Times that he was initially lured by the idea of Hollywood stardom simply because he was asked, responding: ‘All right, I’ll try all of that.’

But he says: ‘Now I know what “that” is, I think I’ll just get cast in things once in a while.

‘Having investigated it, I now think, “No, stay true to what it is you actually do and what you’re supposed to do.’ And that is comedy, about things that are challenging and unsettling but ultimately very warm and loving.’

And of Brand X, which is recorded in Los Angeles, he said: ‘I just want to do something that’s really, really authentic, that hasn’t got any nonsense to it. I’m saying what I believe in — and then we can work it out and cut out the things that are too mental and unbroadcastable.’

Published: 22 Jul 2012