(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Russell Brand hopes to build a philanthropic legacy following the release of his new movie.

The British star began his career as a comedian, but is now a successful movie actor. His latest offering is Arthur, a remake of the classic 80s movie in which he portrays the playboy title character.

Although he enjoys working in films, Russell can see his career going in another direction. He hopes movies will be a platform from which he can help others who arent as fortunate as him.

One would hope that from this point I will be able to build a legacy of which I could be proud - that reaches beyond entertainment and into philanthropy and altruism, he explained.

I think I'll have to await opportunities because I'm not a grand social architect. I am but a comedian, but I would just like to think that I'm prepared spiritually to be open.

Dame Helen Mirren also appears in Arthur, playing the lead characters nanny Hobson. She decided to accept the part because she wants to try her hand at a comedy, which shes never really done before.

However, the star wonders if shes cut out for such releases as she found improvising her lines tricky. While Russell was happy to go off script, Helen feared she would offend the writers and directors.

Russell often would improvise. I would more go the route of saying, 'I could say this,' and pass it by the writer, she laughed to BBC. (C) Cover Media