Kristen Bell says she warned her co-star Russell Brand not to mess with me on the set of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
The 43-year-old actress played the title character Sarah Marshall in the 2008 comedy, while Russell, 48, played her boyfriend Aldous Snow.
The comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women at the height of his fame, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
The explosive allegations are said to have taken place between 2006 and 2013, when Russell was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. He has denied the allegations.
During press work for the film, which also stars Mila Kunis and Jason Segel, in 2008, Kirsten said, “He wasn’t trying to mess with me or get in my pants.” He knew I was his ass would cut off.’
She made her feelings clear: Kristen Bell said she warned her co-star Russell Brand not to “mess with me” on the set of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Co-stars: The 43-year-old actress played the titular Sarah Marshall in the 2008 comedy, while Russell, 48, played her boyfriend Aldous Snow
In another interview, she said she “intimidated” Russell from the start and threatened him not to try anything.
She said: ‘I made it clear from the start that if he tried anything I would piss him off.’ So he was intimidated.’
However, Kristen later admitted that she “loved” working with Russell on the film.
She admitted: “I may be the only woman in the world who would shout that from the rooftops, but I did it.”
Russell spoke about Kristen after Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s outing, saying she was “the perfect partner” for him.
He said, ‘Of course Kristen would be the perfect woman for me.’ And the perfect guy, that’s still me.’
The Times and Sunday Times claim “several women” came forward with undisclosed allegations about Brand’s behavior in the early 2000s following their joint investigation with Channel 4, published on Saturday.
The latest allegations – which the newspaper said have not yet been investigated but are now being “rigorously reviewed” – are based on allegations from four women, including one who claims she was sexually abused by Brand during a three-month relationship with him when she was 16 been and still in school.
The BBC is also now facing “urgent questions” after claims Brand, 48, used his company-provided car service to pick the girl up from school.
This comes as both the BBC and Channel 4 have launched internal investigations into separate allegations that Brand behaved predatorily towards staff and viewers during his employment.
Channel 4 has now removed all shows linked to Brand from its website, including episodes of The Great British Bake Off and Big Brother’s Big Mouth in which he appeared, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Resurfaced clip: In the interview he says: “If you’re able to be reasonably successful, people will let you be a weirdo if they want to make money from it.”
The actor appeared on the show to talk about his book ‘Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions’, with Lorraine saying: ‘They allow you to function in a certain way. ‘You’re activated’
Netflix has since been asked to remove its comedy special titled Re:Birth from its streaming catalog.
The maverick actor and stand-up comedian strenuously denied any wrongdoing and blamed the “mainstream media” for the “litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks.”
BBC bosses last night sought to investigate Brand after the comedian was accused of rape.
Their investigation was announced minutes before Scotland Yard increased pressure and announced that investigators would like to speak to the comedian’s alleged victims.
Brand, a former BBC and Channel 4 star, is facing bombshell claims from women accused of sexual assault, abuse and predatory behavior – including a 16-year-old schoolgirl.
The BBC initially did not commit to an investigation but, amid growing outrage, changed its position last night and a spokesman said it would “investigate the matter as a matter of urgency”.
In a statement, a BBC spokesman said: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations spanning several years.”
“Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programs between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently investigating the issues raised.”
The broadcaster yesterday launched an internal investigation into findings into Brand’s alleged behavior after allegations that at least one senior executive was aware of the complaints against the comedian and appeared to have dismissed them.
Banijay UK, which produced Big Brother’s EForum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth in the early 2000s, said it had also launched “an urgent investigation” into the “very serious” allegations made by former employees who worked with Brand when he ran the programmes between 2004 and 2004 moderated 2006.
The former employees claimed Brand made them “act like pimps” by counting the number of women in the audience and giving them notes from the host.
Channel 4 has also said it is conducting its own internal investigation following allegations of predatory behavior against Brand.
The comedian released a video last week in which he refuted all the allegations against him. Pictured: Brand leaving the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater after a performance on Saturday evening
They said: “We have asked the production company that produced the programs for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and to properly and satisfactorily report their findings to us.”
“Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation and we would encourage anyone who is aware of such behavior to contact us directly.”
The statement continued: “We will be writing to all of our current suppliers reminding them of their responsibilities under our Code of Conduct as we work to ensure our industry has safe, inclusive and professional working environments.”
The broadcaster also confirmed to The Telegraph that it has “removed all content featuring Russell Brand while we investigate the matter.”
Web has contacted the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix for comment.