IN PULSE-quickening signs Love Actually could be getting a sequel 20 years on, Universal Pictures has filed paperwork protecting the name.
Bosses at the film firm, which made the original in 2003, lodged a trademark application days ago which specifically covered a new film and TV series.
It is the surest sign yet that the beloved Christmas flick, featuring Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley, will be back on our screens.
Last September it was reported that director Richard Curtis, 67, had begun work on Love Actually 2, with Hugh Grant said to be keen to return to play politician David, and Liam Neeson up for revisiting grieving dad Daniel.
The paperwork, filed on December 29, covers: “Entertainment services in the nature of a film series, television series, short form entertainment content, videos and podcasts in the field of news, sports, comedy, drama, music and variety content.”
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It even extends to areas including video games and live shows.
But it is likely that the film, which explores love stories among a cast of characters whose paths all cross in some way, would have to undergo changes to reflect the modern world.
Speaking in a documentary in December, award-winning Curtis said: “Thank God, society is changing.
"My film, in some moments, is bound to feel, you know, out of date.
“I mean, there are things about the film, the lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.”
On the film’s enduring appeal, he added: “Good deeds inside families, and good deeds inside communities.
“Every day has the potential, in its simplicity, to be gorgeous.”
A mini-sequel already exists.
Red Nose Day Actually was made as part of the fundraising event in 2017.
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Several of the cast returned including Martine McCutcheon, Colin Firth and Rowan Atkinson, looking at where the characters were 14 years later.
