Barnes: Hope De Niro rubs off on me

Ben Barnes is hoping the success of his idols Robert De Niro, Robin Williams and Jeremy Irons will rub off on him.

The Chronicles Of Narnia star plays a young groom-to-be in ensemble comedy The Big Wedding, which also stars De Niro, Robin, Amanda Seyfried, Susan Sarandon and Diane Keating.

Ben said: "I've been lucky enough to work with so many idols in the last few years. I got to work with Colin Firth a few times and just recently Jeff Bridges but in that film I had so many of them together. De Niro - I mean there's no young actor for whom he isn't their hero - and then Susan Sarandon and Diane Keaton, and Robin Williams, which was such a treat.

"I had two small scenes with myself and Robin Williams and the same with De Niro and I was so excited and nervous. It was so rewarding. They are just so incredible to be around, they just buzz with charisma and talent - so I hope some of it rubs off."

In his latest film The Words, co-starring Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, Ben plays a character also played by Jeremy Irons character.

He said: "I think it's got to be I'm playing the young version of him because he's Jeremy Irons. You don't get to be first billing in that situation. Nobody does.

"I just met him for the first time and I'm kind of over-excited about it because the last time I saw him was on screen in this where they kind of aged him up a lot and you can't believe how handsome he is still!

"He's so suave and cool... I want to be Jeremy Irons, it's the only sensible career path for me from this point onwards!"