Renowned British filmmaker Richard Curtis is best-known for writing some of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Love Actually, which he also directed. And even though he recently received an honorary Oscar (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) at the 15th Governors Awards, Curtis hasn’t directed a film since 2013’s About Time. While he still writes, and his wonderful new film That Christmas is coming to Netflix on Dec. 6, Richard Curtis doesn’t have any plans to get behind the camera again. Curtis said in an interview with Collider:
“It’s just not gonna happen. Although, I have actually directed the pop video for the Ed Sheeran song in the middle of the movie [That Christmas], and I rather enjoyed that. But the big secret was that we shot it entirely in my house, so maybe the only thing we can do is just come up with a movie that’s just set on my street, and I might do that. I don’t want to get up early, and I don’t want someone to offer me bacon sandwiches every morning. I’ll just eat them.”
Prior to his honorary Oscar, 68-year-old Curtis was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay) only once during his illustrious career, and that was for his work on the aforementioned Four Weddings and a Funeral. However, fans of the iconic writer and director can bask in his storytelling one last time with the upcoming holiday film, That Christmas.
Richard Curtis Writes, Doesn’t Direct ‘That Christmas’
MovieWeb’s review of That Christmas proclaims the upcoming X-mas film to be “a fantastic holiday adventure” that “celebrates inclusion,” and why shouldn’t it be? The heartwarming animated adventure is based on the children’s books penned by the famed rom-com writer Richard Curtis, although it will be Simon Otto helming the Netflix flick. So, what can fans expect from That Christmas? Curtis said during an interview (per Tudum):
“I hope it’s going to be a film that makes people happy — perhaps more than once. I hope it’ll remind people of the joy and complexity of Christmas, and some of the joys and comedy and heartbreak of childhood. And then there’s a very special thing for me, that the film takes place in a town very much like my own in Suffolk. I hope they’ll love the sense of the place — and go away with a new, delightful, simple English world in their heads.”
Without giving away any spoilers, That Christmas even includes a Love Actually Easter egg. “It was not my idea,” Curtis insists during his sit-down with Collider. And as most rom-com fans already know, Curtis wrote and directed that beloved 2003 classic which many people actually love. The film stars a who’s who of A-list talent, including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, and Emma Thompson, among so many other talented performers.
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Related ‘That Christmas’ Director on Working with ‘Love, Actually’ Writer for the Netflix Film
Filmmaker Simon Otto discusses his new holiday movie with Richard Curtis and shares his thoughts on the live action How to Train Your Dragon film.
Will That Christmas eventually rank among Richard Curtis’ best written films? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out as the upcoming holiday movie is slated to drop Wednesday, December 4 on Netflix. The animated adventure features Succession’s Brian Cox as Santa Claus and co-stars Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Lolly Adefope. And for those wanting to stroll down memory lane, check out Love Actually, which is currently available to stream on Prime Video. You can watch That Christmas through the link below, and you should.
That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, weaves a series of interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loneliness, and family. The narrative unfolds with Santa Claus making a significant error, amidst a backdrop of numerous turkeys, capturing the essence of holiday spirit and relationships.
Release Date December 4, 2024
Cast Brian Cox , Fiona Shaw , Jodie Whittaker , Bill Nighy , Lolly Adefope , Alex Macqueen , Katherine Parkinson , Sindhu Vee , India Brown , Zazie Hayhurst , Sienna Sayer , Rosie Cavaliero , Paul Kaye , Guz Khan , Andy Nyman , Jack Wisniewski , Kuhu Agarwal , Bronte Smith , Freddie Spry , Ava Talbot , Rhys Darby
Runtime 92 Minutes
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