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Sorry Hugh Grant! Richard Curtis wanted to cast Alan Rickman in Four Weddings and a Funeral

Young Grant: Curtis told how he thought Grant was 'annoying': PUBLICITY PIC
Young Grant: Curtis told how he thought Grant was 'annoying': PUBLICITY PIC

Richard Curtis has told how his first choice for the lead role in Four Weddings and a Funeral was Alan Rickman – not Hugh Grant.

The Love Actually writer opened up on the casting for the 1994 romantic comedy, admitting that despite finding Grant “annoying, too good-looking, and a bit posh”, he was outvoted on the decision.

Speaking at Cheltenham Literary Festival, Curtis said: “We auditioned about 70 people for Hugh’s part. Eventually it was down to Hugh and Alan Rickman.

“I went for Alan but I was outvoted. I just thought Hugh was a bit annoying, too good-looking and a bit posh.

First Choice: Curtis wanted Rickamn to take the lead role (Ian West/PA)
First Choice: Curtis wanted Rickamn to take the lead role (Ian West/PA)

“I was right about all of those things but he was also very good.”

Rickman, who died in 2016 aged 69, went on to star in Curtis' 2003 rom-com Love Actually as Emma Thompson's estranged husband.

Richard Curtis: The screenwriter told how he wanted Alan Rickman to play the lead in the film (PA Archive/PA Images)
Richard Curtis: The screenwriter told how he wanted Alan Rickman to play the lead in the film (PA Archive/PA Images)

Curtis told how the hit was meant to be two separate films.

“Two of the sub plots were supposed to be separate films,” he said.

“The Hugh one I had an idea for a long time ago and you would have seen him coming into power and issues around that. And the Colin one he was going to go on holiday with his girlfriend then split up.”

Curtis added: “Those two were intended to be very unsuccessful films so I am very glad I managed to squeeze all the good bits out of them – 12 minutes each – into Love Actually.”