Dame Helen Mirren worried she'd ''sold out'' by starring in 'RED'.

The Oscar-winning actress admits she was reluctant to sign up for the role of gun-wielding assassin Victoria in the action movie - a role she reprises in 'RED 2' - because people are so used to seeing her in more refined films such as 'The Queen'.

She told BANG Showbiz: ''I was a little bit, 'Ooh, are people going to sort of think I've sold out actually?' to be quite honest with you. I thought maybe people would think I've sold out in a way. And then, of course, I realised how utterly stupid that was and how it was an incredible opportunity to do something I've never done before. And then I loved every minute and couldn't wait to come back for the second time around.''

The 68-year-old star reveals that she decided to take on the role in order to ''mix it up'' and have some fun following her dramatic portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, which earned her the coveted Best Actress award.

She explained: ''I do try and all I try to do is mix it up a couple of times and the penny drops. As far as 'RED' was concerned, I realised that was the perfect opportunity for me to mix it up. I was just coming off from doing the first 'Queen' movie, and it was sort of brilliant to just jump in the opposite direction.''

'RED 2' is in cinemas on August 2.