Returning to our screens as Red Nose Day Actually, Richard has managed to pull in most of the cast including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Kiera Knightly, Andrew Lincoln, and Bill Nighy.
The 60-year-old film director feared that 56-year-old Colin was “too grand” to reprise his cherished role now that he won an Oscar for the 2010 film The King’s Speech.
Richard said: “Is Colin Firth too grand now he’s won an Oscar? Can we find another house that looks like Downing Street? Can Hugh Grant still dance?
“Can we get any of the cast in the country at the same time? Is Liam Neeson making Taken 4? Is Lucia Moniz in Portugal?”
Revealing the reason behind the revival, Richard said: “At this particular time when things feel strained and complicated, it felt like an opportunity to think again whether love still is actually all around us.”
Following the death of Alan Rickman last year, Richard admitted that it was “strange and sad” that the actor wouldn’t be reuniting with them all on set.
“It’s obviously very strange and sad that Alan Rickman can’t be with us, and that means Emma Thompson won’t be in it, either,” Richard continued.
“Liam Neeson impressively kept the coat that we first filmed him in, and is wearing it again. Rowan Atkinson is still wrapping things very lavishly.”
The director also revealed humorous on-set stories from when the youthful stars were just at the start of their film careers.
“I remember Keira Knightley saying that her next project was ‘some pirate thing – probably a disaster’,” laughed Richard. “That turned out to be Pirates of the Caribbean.”
It comes after Richard’s scriptwriter wife Emma Freud posted a snap of Hugh accompanied by Martine on the set of the charity revival, revealing a major storyline.
“Our pm is still married. And she’s still lovely. #rednosedayactually,” said Freud, before adding: “The PM, his wife and the writer who never worked out a good camera face. #rednosedayactually,” accompanied by a picture of Richard.
Still together 14 years after the original film, the Prime Minister and love interest Natalie are still very much an item and could be right at the heart of the charity special’s plot.
The full interview with Richard Curtis can be read in the latest issue of Radio Times, which is available now.
Red Nose Day Actually will air on BBC One on Friday 24 March.
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