Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law hit the red carpet together

The red-carpet event in Leicester Square was Paltrow's first London premiere since the birth of her baby daughter, Apple, in May this year.

In the film she plays a reporter who joins forces with a heroic pilot, played by Law, to save the world.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow has already topped the US box office.

I wanted Jude in the film and he has a great chemistry with Gwyneth Sadie Frost, co-producer

The �38m film also stars Angelina Jolie - who was not at the premiere - as feisty eye-patch wearing fighter pilot Franky Cook, and Irish actor Sir Michael Gambon.

Set in 1930s New York, the sci-fi thriller was made without sets or location and filmed entirely against a blue screen.

Computer graphics were used in post-production to add the background and other images.

Paltrow, who celebrates her 32nd birthday on Tuesday, said: "It's a difficult technique but it was actually fun. You've just got to use your imagination."

Evil villain

Law added: "At first it was tricky and it was difficult to keep a straight face then we got used to it."

Film legend Laurence Olivier also appears in the film - 15 years after his death.

He is resurrected as villain Dr Totenkopf through the use of old film footage and computer wizardry.

Law's ex-wife Sadie Frost - who was also at the Leicester Square premiere - co-produced the film.

Film adventure

Frost said: "I haven't seen Gwyneth since she had her baby so it will be great to catch up.

"I wanted Jude in the film and he has a great chemistry with Gwyneth. I'm glad that we got him."

Paltrow plays an intrepid reporter who joins forces with her ex-boyfriend (Law) to save the world from a mad scientist.

As reporter Polly Perkins and pilot Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan, the pair fight giant robots in the fantasy adventure.