Among the many big names we tragically lost last year was Alan Rickman, who died January 14th 2016.
The loss of the thespian hangs heavy over the plans for the mini-Love Actually sequel that has been organised as part of Comic Relief and Red Nose Day, the first photos for which were recently revealed.
Writer-director Richard Curtis (the King of British rom-coms with credits like Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and About Time to his name, as well as Love Actually, obvs) had previously indicated that Emma Thompson may still come on board the 10-minute short, and now it appears that a decision has been made.
When asked about whether Rickman’s character would feature in some way, Curtis told the Press Association: “You know dealing with Alan is very complicated, so not really… We’re not [involving] everyone. We’re doing about two-thirds of people.”
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As for Emma Thompson’s role: “Ems isn’t in it. She just can’t do it.”
Given the sombre tone of Thompson and Rickman’s storyline in the original, which likely would not have fit into Red Nose Day’s agenda, as well as how such a short and likely rushed tribute (the ten minute running time of the short has to be divided among its many returning cast members as it is) could never have given justice to the breadth of Rickman’s talent, it’s probably just as well they’ve decided to let this one lie.
