There Won't Be an Alan Rickman Tribute in the 'Love Actually' Sequel
While most of the original cast of 2003 rom-com "Love Actually" will reunite for a short sequel segment set to air on the UK version of Red Nose Day, there are a few glaring omissions, including Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. And according to writer-director Richard Curtis, there are currently no plans to pay tribute to the late Alan Rickman, either.
Rickman, who passed away last year at the age of 69, played cheating husband Harry to Thompson's Karen in the flick. According to Curtis, the rushed nature of putting together the 10-minute sequel -- which is currently filming in London -- made it difficult to properly honor Rickman's memory.
In an interview with the UK's Press Association (via Digital Spy), Curtis said, "dealing with Alan is very complicated," no doubt thanks to the actor's sudden passing and the grief his friends and former collaborators -- including frequent costar Thompson -- are still feeling after his death. And the director added that the absence of Harry and Karen wouldn't be the only omission, noting that he couldn't really assemble the entire cast on such short notice.
"We're not doing everyone," Curtis told the Press Association of checking in with the sprawling cast of characters. "We're doing about two thirds of people. Ems (Thompson) isn't in it. She just can't do it."
But fear not, "Love Actually" fans: There are far more cast members who are involved, including the impressive roster of Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Lucia Moniz, Olivia Olson, Bill Nighy, Marcus Brigstocke, and Rowan Atkinson.
The sequel segment will air as part of Red Nose Day U.K., set for March 24. Red Nose Day airs in the U.S. on May 25.
