A SCHOOLBOY is set to walk down the red carpet as the star of a new film.

Lewis Johnson has spent the last shooting the movie, called Grimsby (and titled The Brothers Grimsby for the US release) with Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz and Sacha Baron Cohen.

The 12-year-old, of Wolsey Street, Radcliffe, has just finished filming and is set to attend the London premier at the end of the month with fellow cast members Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Rebel Wilson and Johnny Vegas.

Bury Times:

In the comedy, Baron Cohen — known to many as Ali G and Borat — plays Norman ‘Nobby’ Grimsby.

As an adult, Nobby is reunited with his estranged brother Sebastian who is a top MI6 agent and must join him on a thrill-a-minute mission to prevent a global terrorist attack.

Lewis, who goes to Philips High School in Whitefield, plays the young Nobby.

Lauren Warwick, of Bradley Fold-based Warwick Management is Lewis’s agent and helped him get the part.

She said: “The casting directors wanted a talented boy who was down to earth and Lewis fit the bill perfectly.

“He worked very hard during the auditions and the filming and has made some famous friends along the way.”

Auditions began in Manchester two years ago and Lewis, then of Gorsefield Primary School in Radcliffe, had many trips to the capital for further auditions and filming.

The youngster kept up his studies throughout filming and is excited for the premiere having already featured heavily in the trailers.His mother Adele said: “We are all very proud of him. He has done exceptionally well.

“Lewis has taken everything in his stride.

“I don’t think he realises just how well he has done and how big this film is. I hope he enjoys himself when the film comes out.”

She joked that, because of his age, Lewis might struggle to see the film if it is given a 15 certificate.

Lewis made such a good impression on set that Baron Cohen and Wilson have both kept in touch — the latter recently visiting his Radcliffe home.

The film is nationwide cinema released on March 11.