“It seems they have a cunning plan my Lord.”You may have heard about it, but might not believe it…yes ladies and gentlemen, there is the possibility of the great Blackadder returning to the big screen.
Long time funny man Rowan Atkinson has made a name for himself around the globe as the hopeless Mr Bean, but in the UK he is better known and loved for being the notorious and conniving Blackadder, who pops up in outrageous situations throughout various periods of history. We’ve seen him with Richard III, we’ve seen him with Queeny and now we might be lucky enough to see him in a whole feature length film…is it too good to be true?
The hit BBC sitcom was written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton and starred Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder, anti-hero extraordinaire. It ran for four series, from 1983 to 1989. We were swept through the Middle Ages, the Elizabethan and Regency eras, as well the First World War. The specials also took us to the time of Dickens and a millenium special in 1999 took Blackadder all the way back to the prehistoric age and then jumped into the future.
In 2000 its fourth series “Blackadder Goes Forth” was ranked by the British Film Institute as number 16 in the "100 Greatest British Television Programmes."
Now Atkinson has met with the producer of Blackadder, Mr John Lloyd to talk about a comeback for the slippery master of mischief. Lloyd told the Sun: "Rowan and I had this great idea, because we are all getting a bit old, of doing a kind of Dad's Army.”
He describes the initial idea for the film: "They are a platoon in Walmington-on-Sea where they get kidnapped by a German submarine and taken to Colditz. They then have to escape."
"Because Tony Robinson is probably very near 70" continues Lloyd, "now he would be just about the right age. We'd do it as a Blackadder; it would make a good movie, I think."
Robinson, who played Blackadder's idiotic “I have a cunning plan” dogsbody, Baldrick, also expressed his interest in participating in the movie spin-off.
Others from the motley crew included Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny and Rik Mayall.
Lets hope they go through with it and give us all one last rip roaring laugh.
In case any of you need a little help in recalling those fabulously infamous Blackadder moments, here are some CLASSICS that will bring the tears back to your eyes…
12. Blackadder 2 – Bells. Kate trying to pass for a boy
Blackadder: "What is your name, boy?"
Boy: "Kate."
Blackadder: "Kate, that's an unusual name for a boy."
Boy: "It's short for [pause] Bob."
11. Blackadder 2 – Money. Blackadder to Baldrick and Percy when he has money problems
Blackadder: “Baldrick, go forth into the streets and announce that Lord Blackadder wishes to sell his house. Percy, just go forth into the streets."
10. Blackadder 4. Blackadder tries to prove that he’s mad
Lt. George: "What is your name?"
Blackadder: "Wibble."
Lt. George: "What is 2 plus 2?"
Blackadder: "Wibble, Wibble."
9. Blackadder 3. Blackadder talking to Baldric
Blackadder: “Believe me, Baldric, an eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish minions will be as nothing compared to five minutes alone with me…and this pencil."
8. Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Blackadder to Baldrick
Blackadder: "Baldrick, you wouldn't see a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on top of a harpsichord, singing "Subtle Plans are Here Again!"
7. Blackadder 2 – Bells. Blackadder speaking to young Crone
Young Crone: "Two things, my Lord, must ye know of the Wise Woman. First… she is a woman! And second… she is…"
Blackadder: "Wise?"
Young Crone: "You do know her, then?"
Blackadder: "No, just a wild stab in the dark – which, incidentally, is what you'll be getting if you don't start being a bit more helpful."
6. Blackadder 3. Blackadder to Mrs Miggins after being called a mere butler.
Blackadder: "They do say, Mrs Miggins, that verbal insults hurt more than physical pain. They are, of course, wrong, as you shall find out when I stick this toasting fork in you."
5. Blackadder 2. Blackadder to Baldrick
Blackadder: "To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was something that just happened to other people, wasn't it?"
4. Blackadder 2: Queenie to Blackadder – wrapping up the court situation
Queenie: "Everything is still the same. Lord Percy is still unemployed, your animal [referring to Baldrick] still isn't house-trained, and nursie here is still a few sticks short of a bundle."
3. Blackadder. The best of the “cunnings”
Blackadder: "I have a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel."
Blackadder: "Baldrick, I have a very, very, very cunning plan."
Baldrick: "Is it as cunning as a fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University but has moved on, and is now working for the UN at the High Commission of International Cunning Planning?"
Blackadder: "Yes. It is."
2. Blackadder 2. Blackadder to Baldrick
Blackadder: "You have absolutely no idea what irony is, have you Baldrick?"
Baldrick: "Yes I have. It's just like steely and goldie, 'cept it's made of iron"
1. Blackadder 2 – Chains. Edmund and Melchett are captured by Ludwick
Blackadder: "Okay, make a sentence out of the following words: Face. Sodding. Your. Shut."
