Richard Curtis Interview: Love, Actually, Genie, Notting Hill, and Pirate Radio

From writer, producer, and film director Richard Curtis, the screenwriter behind classics like Notting Hill, Love, Actually, and Bridget Jones's Diary, comes Genie, a fairy tale Christmas adventure set in New York City. Genie stars Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy and Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu in a remake of one of Curtis' previous films that he tells Collider's Steve Weintraub he wanted to expand on almost immediately after it was released.

As any good Christmas movie does, Genie starts with Bernard Bottle's (Essiedu) life in shambles. His wife has left him, he's missing out on important moments with his daughter for a job he just got fired from, and New York City is in full holiday swing around him. With a little of Curtis' movie magic, Bernard discovers an ancient jewelry box that happens to contain a powerful genie named Flora (McCarthy). Flora, unlike in the stories, is able to grant infinite wishes, but she's been stuck in that box for 2,000 years. So, as she's granting Bernard's wishes, he's showing her the magic of the world around them, and rediscovering the joys of life. Genie also stars Alan Cumming, Denée Benton, Jordyn McIntosh, and more.

While talking with Collider, Curtis talks about why he wanted to revisit his 1991 film, tackling his first New York City-based script, what it's like with Melissa McCarthy on set and how she helped shape her character, the budget of wish fulfillment, and getting Tom Cruise's permission for the movie. He also shares tidbits from his expansive career, like the 5-hour cut of Pirate Radio, looking back at Love, Actually ahead of its 4K Ultra HD release date, the inspiration behind Notting Hill, and what's next for the Christmas-obsessed creative.

#RichardCurtis #Genie #MelissaMcCarthy #LoveActually

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