Why Richard Curtis Fought Against Casting Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant has revealed that Richard Curtis was determined to keep him from starring in Four Weddings and a Funeral, despite Grant ultimately landing the role and becoming a household name.
In the 1990s, few leading men captured the public’s imagination quite like Hugh Grant. With his trademark tousled hair and effortless charm, he became the face of a string of successful films, embodying a certain Britishness on screen—albeit one that many in the UK might find rather fanciful. His off-screen escapades and a knack for self-deprecation only added to his enduring appeal at the box office.
Among the roles that cemented his place in cinematic history was Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral. The character—a debonair yet perpetually flustered romantic—seemed tailor-made for Grant, propelling him to international fame. Yet, as Grant himself recently shared on The Graham Norton Show, his casting was far from a foregone conclusion. He dismissed the notion that the part was written with him in mind, explaining that he had to audition like everyone else.
“I was very much unwanted,”
he remarked.
“Richard Curtis did everything in his power to stop me getting the part after the audition.”
Behind the Scenes: Reluctance and Rival Choices
Contrary to popular belief, Curtis did not direct Four Weddings and a Funeral; he wrote the screenplay and played a significant role in the casting process. Drawing inspiration from his own fleeting encounters at weddings, Curtis crafted the characters of Charles and Carrie (played by Andie MacDowell) with a sense of realism. He was adamant that the lead should not be conventionally attractive, stating in the same interview,
“The absolutely key thing for that film when I was writing it was that the person who was playing the lead would not be good looking. That was the absolute starting thesis of the film.”
The final decision on who would play Charles came down to a vote between Curtis, director Mike Newell, and producer Duncan Kenworthy. While Newell and Kenworthy backed Grant, Curtis admitted,
“I voted for someone else.”
Initially, Alex Jennings was cast, but funding complications forced him to withdraw. Jennings would later return to the story in a television adaptation years down the line. Curtis’s preferred choice was Alan Rickman, who declined the offer, perhaps with a wry suggestion to
“turn to page 394.”
Grant’s Unexpected Triumph and Lasting Partnership
Despite Curtis’s reservations, Grant ultimately secured the role of Charles, a decision that proved fortuitous for all involved. Grant had been contemplating leaving acting altogether before reading the script, which means audiences might have missed out on his later performances, including a memorable turn in Paddington 2. Over time, Curtis and Grant would collaborate on several more projects, such as Notting Hill and Love Actually, demonstrating that initial reluctance can sometimes lead to enduring creative partnerships.