The 2003 Christmas-themed romantic comedy "Love Actually" is getting a much-awaited sequel and will feature most of the original cast members. Richard Curtis will be back to direct the sequel.
According to E! News, Curtis is "reconvening the cast" for the Comic Relief special for the Red Nose Day campaign this year. The Red Nose Day charity telethon aims to raise money and awareness to help kids living in poverty around the world. The project will be titled "Red Nose Day Actually" and that the cast are on standby for filming.
"I would never have dreamt of writing a sequel to Love Actually, but I thought it might be fun to do 10 minutes to see what everyone is now up to. Who has aged best?-I guess that's the big question...or is it so obviously Liam?" Curtis said.
The original "Love Actually" cast including Rowan Atkinson, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Marcus Brigstocke, Martine McCutcheon, Lucia Moniz and Olivia Olson will reprise their roles.
Alan Rickman's absence from the mini sequel will probably be the most heartbreaking thing for fans. The British actor was part of the original 2003 ensemble of "Love Actually." Unfortunately, the sequel will not delve on the story of Rickman's character Harry and his wife Karen, portrayed by Emma Thompson.
In the 2003 movie, Harry attracts the attention of his young secretary. His wife, Karen, found out about it after she realized that the necklace Harry bought was intended as a gift for her when she received a Joni Mitchell CD instead. Because of the affair, Harry and Karen's relationship was strained.
"You know, dealing with Alan is very complicated," Curtis said, as quoted by Vanity Fair. For now, there are also no plans to do a tribute for Rickman in the film. "We're not doing everyone. We're doing about two thirds of people."
Thompson is also not joining the sequel presumably due to her busy schedule. Laura Linney will also not participate. The "Love Actually" sequel is expected to give closure to the original characters' stories of heartbreak and love, but Atkinson's character reportedly will still not have any luck at love this time around.