Filmmakers love having Oscar winners in action movies: Mirren

Veteran actor Helen Mirren has quipped that she once "begged" to be cast in an action film and used her Oscar winner reputation to put pressure on the film bosses.

The 72-year-old actor, who won an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in 2007's "The Queen", said the filmmakers "love" to cast Academy Award winners in their films.

"It was a little hankering definitely. Absolutely it was. I begged. I put it out there and then I begged. That was one of the wonderful advantages of winning an Oscar. I got to be in action movies!" Mirren said, according to Femalefirst.

"Because they love having Oscar winners in their action movies. They want to bring you down," she added.

The actor recently appeared in the latest installment of "The Fast and the Furious" franchise, "The Fate of the Furious".

Mirren said she loved the experience of shooting for an action film, especially the stunt scenes.

"(It was) more fun. Especially the action sequences, they're the best. I love them. And the technology. They're extraordinary, these special effects guys and stunt guys. To watch those craftsmen at work... There really should be an Oscar for stunt work," she said.

"These guys are incredible and they're so careful and so professional. And they're artists. The do amazing things," she added.