Mr Bean actor
Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson says cancel culture is like 'medieval mob looking something to burn'
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Johnny English actor Rowan Atkinson has shared his thoughts on the rise of cancel culture, comparing keyboard warriors to a “medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn.”
In an interview with Radio Times as cited by Variety, he said that the problem they have online is that an algorithm decides what one wants to see, which ends up creating a simplistic, binary view of society. The actor added, "it becomes a case of either you’re with us or against us. And if you’re against us, you deserve to be ‘cancelled.’"
Atkinson further says that it is important one is exposed to a wide spectrum of opinion. However, according to him nowadays everyone has what is the digital equivalent of the "medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn."
“So it is scary for anyone who’s a victim of that mob and it fills me with fear about the future," he said.
The actor also weighed in on playing the iconic Mr Bean, stating that he does not enjoy playing the character much as the weight of responsibility is not pleasant and he finds it stressful and exhausting.The original sitcom, which aired from January 1990 to December 1995, comprised 15 episodes. The series has also been sold in 245 territories worldwide and has inspired an animated spin-off as well as two theatrical feature-length films, starring Atkinson.
Atkinson also expressed interest in reviving his iconic BBC comedy Blackadder. The actor said that it is "not impossible" for Blackadder to return after more than 30 years and confirmed there have been talks about a new series. However, he added that he would rather not speculate on when it could be set. The show, written by Atkinson, Ben Elton, and Richard Curtis starred Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.
Meanwhile, Atkinson will next be seen on the Netflix series Man vs Bee, which revolves around a man who finds himself at war with a bee while in a luxurious mansion.Rowan Atkinson has had an extensive career. Considered to be one of the funniest and best actors in British comedy, Atkinson has a body of work that speaks for itself. Atkinson's career started on the show Canned Laughter back in 1979. He starred and wrote the sitcom which only ever had one episode. Ever since then, Atkinson has cemented his place in the history of comedy with movies and television shows such as Mr Bean, Blackadder, The Lion King, Thin Blue Line, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Johnny English among many, many others. Known all over the world as Mr Bean – the boisterously funny London resident who finds a way to hilariously complicate the simplest of tasks – Atkinson has delivered characters that have achieved cult following. Today, on Rowan Atkinson's sixty-third birthday, we take a look at some of his most iconic and evergreen roles; in movies and television.Styled after Atkinson's most well-known character, Mr.Bean, Johnny English parodies the famous James Bond movies. The amazing thing about the Johnny English film series is that it doesn't appear to be a parody because of how immensely funny the title character, played by Atkinson, is. The first movie in the franchise, titled Johnny English, follows the story of a man who desperately wants to be a spy, but is too dim-witted to be one. English is told by his superiors that the only way he can be a spy is if all other British spies die; and that is exactly what happens, after which Atkinson's character is called upon to fulfil his national duty. The second movie in the franchise, Johnny English Reborn, sees the unintelligent yet confident spy fight international assassins trying to hunt down the Chinese premier. The movie is a must watch for any Rowan Atkinson fan. The third movie in the franchise, Johnny English 3, is expected to release in September this year.
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