Russell Brand Has Free Reign As Movie Awards Host

'There is no yelling at Russell,' executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic tells MTV News about the host's big night.
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz and Jim Cantiello


Russell Brand
Photo: MTV News

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Russell Brand is like John Locke: Nobody tells him what he can and can't do.

When the British actor and comedian steps onto the Gibson Amphitheatre's stage Sunday night as host of the MTV Movie Awards, he'll be able to do literally whatever he wants — he just might get yelled at about it later.

Speaking with MTV News' Josh Horowitz ahead of his Movie Awards appearance, Brand was asked if there are any restrictions on what he can or cannot do, what he can or cannot say, come the big evening. According to the man himself, the answer is a resounding "no," but that doesn't mean there isn't the threat of consequences looming over his head.

"[The producers] just go, 'Do whatever you want!' And then one hour later they'll say, 'You shouldn't have done that,' " he said with all the signature energy that Brand's become known for. "It's a weird technique!"

But the producers behind the Movie Awards tell a very different tale. When Jim Cantiello spoke with executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic, it became clear that Russell's capacity to do hilariously bad things onstage is not just limitless, but endorsed by the folks behind the scenes.

"No, that's wrong," Ignjatovic said when asked if Brand is going to get scolded if he pushes things too far. "There's no yelling at Russell. It's all love. The show ends, we go and we hug him, and we tell him it's great. It's all love."

Russell, we sure do hope you're reading this — if you're to take Mr. Ignjatovic's words as gospel, then you just might be able to fulfill your greatest wishes come Sunday evening's end.

"MTV Movie Awards incorporates two of my favorite things: movies and awards," Brand said when he was initially announced for the hosting gig. "If somehow group sex could be involved it would be the greatest night of my life."

So, yeah — we're not trying to say you can turn this into the MTV Group Sex Awards you've dreamed of, Russell, but we might be trying to say that.

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

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