She is one of Hollywood’s most esteemed British actresses while he is the UK’s latest superstar exports.
And rather than compare notes on taking on the US, Dame Helen Mirren and James Corden playfully went head-to-head in a hilarious rap battle on the Drop The Mic segment of the funnyman’s The Late Late Show.
On Tuesday night’s show, the 72-year-old brought out her fieriest burns as she poked fun at James’ weight, his chat show style and attention-seeking while the Gavin And Stacey star, 39, playfully insisted Helen’s acting range was limited.
James has gone head-to-head with a host of A-listers in the segment including Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry and Usain Bolt however he was clearly overjoyed to be joined megastar and fellow Brit Helen in the ring.
As Helen was introduced as: ‘This Dame who doesn’t give a damn’, James insisted he was ready to take her on as he smugly pronounced: ‘We’re not at home any more I’m the king in this studio, This is gonna be fun.’
Clearly taking no prisoners, he opened the rap with an array of scorns, including her brief romance with Liam Neeson, her comparisons to Hollywood icon Meryl Streep and her various stints playing Queen Elizabeth.
He rapped: ‘Helen is basically an icon in her craft, when I heard she wanted to battle me all I could do was laugh. Back home she’s considered the actress you have to fear, we’re in America now, Meryl Streep lives here.
Cheeky! Dame Helen Mirren and James Corden playfully went head-to-head in a hilarious rap battle on the Drop The Mic segment of the funnyman’s The Late Late Show
Belting it out: On Tuesday night’s show, the 72-year-old brought out her most fiery burns as she poked fun at James’ size, his chat show style and attention-seeking while the Gavin And Stacey star, 39, playfully insisted Helen’s acting range was limited
‘You dated Liam Neeson back in 1982 he left you real quick he wasn’t taken with you. Helen’s so beloved she’s in her own class. She played the queen but now she’s a royal pain in my a**.’
To much applause from the audience, Helen fired back with hints James was attracted to her while also insisting her sucks up to his A-list guests.
The star said: ‘I’m the one you should fear, wherever I go, if I’m a pain in your a**, that leaves a lot of room to grow; you stand out, but for games and banter, other shows do comedy, you just pander.
‘You thought you could beat me, sorry game over, I’ll cook this beef, here’s why, for an ole lover; he’s obsessed with my exes, sorry James I’m not single, but you know I taught your little mister to tingle’.
Main part: In his hilarious comeback, James said: ‘Helen was impressive that was a real change, played the queen six times wow that shows range. Helen sounds real classy that’s all for show the accent real sounds smart trusts me I know’
Hitting back: To much applause from the audience, Helen fired back with hints James was attracted to her while also insisting her sucks up to his A-list guests
In his hilarious comeback, James said: ‘Helen was impressive that was a real change, played the queen six times wow that shows range. Helen sounds real classy that’s all for show the accent real sounds smart trusts me I know.
You’re outdated, overrated, and I’m tearing you apart. I’ll knock this national treasure out of Gosford Park. See I hit home runs you should stay on the bench. I’m not playing around like you’re not Dame Judi Dench.’
She hit back: ‘I’ve played the queen but also warriors and witches crime lords bosses and bitches detectives and whores from *** to Shakespeare. the only role you’ve ever paid is guy who begged to be here.
‘Poor James Corden with never be satisfied till you find a way to get attention deep fried. This battle is fun, I’m glad that you asked its the only thing you didn’t find in Jimmy Fallon’s trash.’
Royal fun: In his hilarious comeback, James said: ‘Helen was impressive that was a real change, played the queen six times wow that shows range. Helen sounds real classy that’s all for show the accent real sounds smart trusts me I know’
Spitting bars: She hit back: ‘I’ve played the queen but also warriors and witches crime lords bosses and bitches detectives and whores from *** to Shakespeare. the only role you’ve ever paid is guy who begged to be here’
He went on to poke fun in her fleeting role in Fast And Furious and her absence among other Hollywood greats in both Harry Potter and James Bond.
Se went on: ‘You f**ked up James you desperate tater tot. A woman’s worth isn’t credit so who said shes hot boys club bull s**t I’m done with that crap. You’re welcome to this headline Helen Mirren can rap.
‘Compare me to Meryl, Judi, Maggie but why – they’re not my competition they’re my ride or die. see women are a force to be reckoned with and I reckon youve been reckoned with you’ve been to hell and back b***h’.
Pulling his best punches: Se went on: ‘You f**ked up James you desperate tater tot. A woman’s worth isn’t credit so who said shes hot boys club bull s**t I’m done with that crap. You’re welcome to this headline Helen Mirren can rap’