Johnny Depp was greeted by hundreds of screaming fans as he arrived for the European premiere of his new film "Public Enemies" in Leicester Square in London.

He stars in the movie as real-life 1930s bank robber John Dillinger. "This guy took up arms against the establishment and he did it with a smile," says Johnny.

Depp, who stopped for an hour to sign autographs for fans, says he had fun shooting the film: "I enjoyed firing machine guns. I did
not actually shoot anyone."

He even stopped to get up close and personal with a few lucky admirers. Johnny also paid tribute to Michael Jackson, saying "I was inspired by him because he was a great artist."

French actress Marion Cotillard stars alongside Depp as Dillinger’s girlfriend Billie Frechette. She won an Oscar for playing singer Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose.

Marion says she enjoyed working with Depp, "He’s a
very nice person, a very, very nice person." In the film, Dillinger and Frechette are hunted by FBI agent Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale.

Marion was also happy to stop and sign autographs in Leicester Square, and says she’s pleased with the way the film’s turned out: "There is action, romance and an amazing character, Dillinger."

Also on the red carpet was Jamie Campbell Bower. He starred with Depp in Sweeney Todd, and appears in the next Twilight film New Moon as well as the final Harry Potter movies.

Amelle Berrabah from the Sugababes was at the premiere too. Public Enemies opens in the UK on July 1. It was directed by Michael Mann, who says Dillinger was "a folk hero to the whole American public."