Adoring fans welcome xXx star at premiere
Thousands of screaming fans greeted the arrival of Hollywood actor Vin Diesel as his action blockbuster xXx premiered in Britain.
The Fast And The Furious star was 'stunned' by his reception as he posed for photographs and spoke to those who had waited hours for a glimpse of their idol last night.
Wearing an all-black suit, he was the last to arrive at the Odeon cinema in London’s Leicester Square, and was then taken up on to the stage to address the fans.
The seven-deep crowd roared and screamed at his every word.
Describing xXx as an alternative to the James Bond legend, Diesel said: "This film has a lot of action and is a complete adrenaline rush but at the same time it has a character in it that people can identify with.
"I’ve done the anti-hero, the reluctant anti-hero and in xXx I play the quintessential reluctant hero.
"James Bond represented a country whereas xXx represents a generation and all its cultural influences. The film embodies our society’s characteristics - the tattoos, the Playstations and the music."
After making his way through the crowd he said the fans were 'unbelievable' adding: "You make me feel so good. To hear this response gives me some indication that I am doing something right."
Diesel, speaking to journalists waiting in the foyer, also appealed for Dame Judi Dench to appear in his next movie.
He added: "She’s one of the best actresses of our time."
Director Rob Cohen, who is writing the sequel to the film, arrived shortly before Diesel and described how he had filmed the epic through the eyes of an 18-year-old.
The 53-year-old said: "It’s time for something new, an alternative to something that has been great for 40 years and this is it.
"Vin’s character is a character to a whole generation as opposed to an agent of the country or another time.
"I wanted the character to make a journey because that’s the thing that Bond never does.
"He’s the same guy at the end of the movie as he is at the start."
He said Diesel’s character was not 'an authority guy' but a 'free thinker'.
Cohen said Diesel had done most of the stunts and at one point he feared for the star’s safety.
He said: "It was a miracle that he didn’t get hurt."
Stars attending the premiere included Liberty X, So Solid Crew and England striker Emile Heskey.
