Baftas 2022: Rebel Wilson takes aim at JK Rowling, James Bond and the pandemic

Rebel Wilson has opened the Bafta film awards by making jokes about her recent weight loss, JK Rowling, James Bond and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian film star took to the stage in a sparkly red gown and said: “I might look a bit different from the last time you saw me here. That was me two years ago and since then I’ve done quite a transformation – I hope JK Rowling still approves.

“Everyone is asking me, why did you lose weight? Clearly it was to get the attention of Robert Pattinson,” she joked.

She continued: “I didn’t lose weight just to get a guy, I did it to get more acting roles,

“Now I can play the non-funny love interest in an Adam Sandler film.”

Introducing Belfast director Sir Kenneth Branagh, she called him: "The only director brave enough to give Armie Hammer a role."

Read more: Best Bafta red carpet fashion

Wilson also joked about the box office success of The Batman, saying it was “ironic” the film had been such a hit in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “One man and a bat started everything, decimating the film industry, two years later one man and a bat should be the one to save it.”

Wilson also joked she would be taking over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

The Australian actress told the Bafta audience: “Hold on to your martinis because the Broccolis have let me announce it here and now, this is a scoop, I’m proud to announce that the new James Bond will be me! Oh my god, yes!

“I don’t want people going crazy because there will be a female James Bond, it’s not going to change things that much.”

She added: “Here’s my pitch for the new Bond film – Bond goes to Australia and it can be called Die And G’day.

“And because of the gender pay gap I actually won’t be 007, I’ll be 004.5"

Wilson later returned to the Bafta stage to joke: “I was going to do a musical number as host; it was about Prince Andrew.

“It was on rollerskates. It was called Pizza Express but don’t worry, I’m not going to do it, I’m not going to sing.

“I’m saving my voice for the sequel to Cats.”