Try as they might, no Christmas movie will ever compare in terms of popularity, romance, and cult classic status to the 2003 classic British romantic comedy Love Actually. Even nearly 20 years after the movie was released, it remains just as popular, just as highly discussed, and just as debated as it ever has been.
Thanks to social media, and the popularity of streaming services, Love Actually continues to have quite the life of its own among film viewing audiences all around the world. Regardless of which characters you feel most drawn to, or which romances you remain the most invested in, one thing is clear: a sequel to Love Actually is something that many fans want. But do we really need one?
Need A Sequel: One of a kind cast
Hollywood continues to try and produce worthwhile ensemble cast films these days, but none of them will ever boast as truly impressive a cast as Love Actually can lay claim to. At the time of the film’s release, major names among its cast included Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, and Laura Linney.
In the years since the film was released, some of the film’s younger cast have also gone on to become household names, including Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rodrigo Santoro, Martin Freeman, January Jones, Elisha Cuthbert, and Thomas Brodie Sangster.
Don’t: They got their happy endings
The way the film wrapped things up, essentially everyone got their own happy ending to varying degrees. Couples finally got together, friendships were mended, and new world orders were established. While it’s entirely possible that a possible sequel could only expand on these happily ever afters, is it really necessary to do so?
Additionally, is it necessary to risk the possibility of these happy endings being tainted forever? What if the couples have broken up, or the friendships dissolved, or the families once again reconfigured? That’s not a risk we’re willing to take.
Need A Sequel: Next generation of stories to be told
Though they may not all have been the focus of the original movie, Love Actually had plenty of children characters who could carry on the next generation of love stories, friendships, and more. In particular, Thomas Sangster’s Sam and Olivia Olson’s Joanna would make for a perfect central storyline.
Other children characters - whether Karen’s kids, or eventual children of couples like Jamie and Aurelia, or David and Natalie - could naturally fill out the remainder of the cast.
Don’t: It wouldn’t be the same without Alan Rickman
Any potential sequel to Love Actually would understandably have an air of sadness surrounding it, however, due to one simple fact. Alan Rickman, who played a major albeit polarizing role in the original movie as philandering husband Harry, tragically passed away back in 2016.
While it would be possible to continue telling the story of his family, and most importantly his wife in Emma Thompson’s Karen, any story the movie opted to tell for these characters would have a real heaviness to them as a result of Rickman’s loss.
Need A Sequel: Reunions are all the rage
If ever there was a time for the world of Love Actually to be expanded in a sequel, now would be it. If the recent trends of reboots, revivals, and reunions are anything to go by, nostalgia for the movies and series of years past is at an all time high
When it comes to Christmas-themed entertainment, it’s likely that that nostalgia would only be higher, given the popularity of seasonal fare each and every year. Whether the sequel would be a success at the box office is debatable, but the nostalgia factor would be hard to beat.
Don’t: No guarantee everyone would participate
As much as it may be a guarantee for fans all over the world to lean into the feelings of nostalgia that the sequel would inspire, it’s hardly a guarantee that the film’s impressive and expansive cast would all be willing to take part in the followup.
Given the fact that almost all of the movie’s original cast are steadily working, and many of them even pulling in awards and nominations on a regular basis, it may be more difficult to arrange a production schedule for such a film this time around.
Need A Sequel: Holiday romances are always a hit
If the popularity of cheesy television fare like Hallmark Channel’s annual slate of Christmas romances is anything to go by, it’s clear that the world has a real soft spot for holiday-themed love stories. Romantic comedies are often popular within the movie-going audience, so it stands to reason that holiday themed romantic comedies would do just as well.
Especially when a movie includes as many popular cast members, diverse stories, and beloved characters as Love Actually does, it makes all the sense in the world to revisit these characters and their love stories.
Don’t: Audiences are more cynical now
But on the other hand, while audiences were more willing to indulge lighter-hearted and genuinely romantic and compassionate fare nearly two decades ago when Love Actually was first released in theatres, the movie-going landscape has changed quite dramatically since then.
Nowadays, movies that don’t include cynical messages and darker themes often don’t do as well at the box office as gritty, hard hitting movies have been doing. It’s entirely possible, then, that there may not be a place for a movie as wholesome and genuinely sentimental as a Love Actually sequel would be.
Need A Sequel: We miss these characters
Christmas movies have come and gone over the years, but few of them have quite the lasting staying power that Love Actually does. While it’s due in large part to the impressive cast that we’ve already talked about in length, there’s no way to overlook the strength of the characters of themselves.
From David’s self-deprecating humor, to Jamie’s anxiety, to Aurelia’s kind heart, to Natalie’s frank warmth, and even Billy Mack’s unexpectedly softer side, the film is laden with characters that defy expectations and invite you into their world - one that we’d happily revisit, at that.
Don’t: Red Nose Day Actually
This point may be the most definitive of them all when it comes to why we don’t really need a Love Actually sequel at this point: we sort of already got one. In 2017, much of the film’s original cast came together to produce a short film followup as part of the charity telethon Red Nose Day.
In Red Nose Day Actually, we learn that David is once again Prime Minister; Juliet, Peter, and Mark are still the best of friends; Billy Mack is once again on the top of the charts, though his best friend and manager Joe recently passed away; Sarah finally found love; and Sam and Joanna intend to wed. Maybe that’s all the resolution we’ll ever get, and maybe that’s all we’ll ever really need.
