These are photos from this weekend’s premiere of Hop, in which Russell Brand voices some version of the cartoon Easter Bunny. The film is a blend of cartoon/CGI animation and live-action, with proper actors and everything. I knew that Brand was voicing the “next” Easter Bunny (and what a raunchy choice that was), and I knew that James Marsden was “starring” in the live-action part of the film, but Hugh Laurie’s involvement comes as a surprise. It turns out, Hugh is voicing the Easter Bunny’s father. So… he has to be Russell Brand’s dad. God save us all.

So as Russell and Hugh posed together at the premiere, I have to ask – which would you rather? For some, it might be a toss up. Both Hugh and Rusty are funny men, and both are rather unconventionally attractive. Both seem rather brilliant in their own way too. Rusty is younger, but Hugh has more experience. My choice: I’d rather go to bed with Hugh. I find him more physically attractive. That’s not a knock on Russell though – I find him attractive mostly because I think he’s smart and funny, but physically, he doesn’t do much for me. In general, I only care Russell when he’s attached to Helen Mirren or when I’m reading one of his interviews. Speaking of, Russell has a new one with Parade:

Parade: Have you gotten used to living in Los Angeles?
Brand: I passed my driver’s license test! My friend Danny says I drive like I’m at a funeral: sensible and calm.

How do you unwind on Sundays?
I hang out with my wife. I like to read, play with our cat, and watch English football. I have a pair of West Ham United slippers and some stripey thermal long johns I romp around in. Very comfy stuff.

What about your tight pants—are they ever hard to get off?
Never too much trouble. You can have zippers fitted at the ankle—they can be helpful. If you have trouble getting pants off, that’s excessive. Once it’s restrictive, you’re out of fashion and into bondage.

What’s the best thing about being married?
Having a friend, having consistency in your life. I didn’t come from a big family, so building a family is important to me. Some of my friends have children, and they take your life to different places. That’s something I want to be as involved in as possible, especially once they start laughing and doing stuff.

Do you like making kids’ movies?
I do. Children live in a world where there is a lot of imagination and freedom, and that’s a nice place to inhabit as a comedian.

What would we be surprised to know about you?
That I’m really kind of shy and normal when I’m at home. All the showing-off stuff is about work.

What were Easters like growing up in England?
I remember watching The Muppet Show one year—and liking too much chocolate. Anything that helps put chocolate in your tummy is an embraceable holiday.

Does the bunny in Hop look like you?
I think there are some facial expressions and dental similarities. Other than that, it’s a creation of the brilliant animators.

Was it hard playing a drunk in Arthur now that you’re sober?
It was difficult, yeah. That was one of the areas I had to work on a lot. I carried a bottle of booze on set and smelled it while we were doing those scenes. [Director] Jason Winer and I had a code for the level of drunkenness in a particular scene: from one to four, one being a little buzzed and four being sloshed. But it’s not a tragic portrayal of a drunken man; it’s not like Leaving Las Vegas.

You worked with Helen Mirren on both Arthur and The Tempest. Did you bond through humor?
She could get along with anybody, but, yeah, I think we connected with humor. She has a beautiful work ethic and doesn’t make a fuss about anything. I’ve never met anyone more worthy of the title Dame.

Now that you’re doing films, is this the end of Russell the comedian?
No, I love stand-up more than anything. If you’re talking, why not make people laugh?

[From Parade]

Putting aside his burning love for Dame Mirren for a moment, I found his comments on the idea of becoming a father most interesting: “I didn’t come from a big family, so building a family is important to me. Some of my friends have children, and they take your life to different places. That’s something I want to be as involved in as possible, especially once they start laughing and doing stuff.” That’s why he got married – he was just ready to be married, and he thinks he’s ready to be a father, and he simply married the first girl he saw. It’s kind of sad because I don’t think Katy is in any way ready to put her career on hold to start popping out Brand babies. It’s going to be a mess when this thing falls apart.

Anyway, if you want a really hard choice, which would you rather between these two?

Gross, right? Here are some more pics to cleanse the palate:

Photos courtesy of WENN.