REG was spotted on a BBC1 out-takes/bloopers programme the other night. Richard was playing the part of Simon Marchmont (from Posh Nosh) and it was the episode where Simon and Minty were organising a birthday party for their doggies. All of the dogs had party hats on and they were seated around the table and Minty tells one of the dogs off for an indiscretion of some sort. Richard (Simon) stands with her at the side looking very serious (for 2 seconds anyway) and then he collapses in a heap laughing his head off. They then try and re-do the scene and REG again explodes in fits of laughter. He was in absolutely stitches and kept on moving around laughing – flashing a glimpse of his lovely teeth in the process! He finally said “Sorry, I can’t do it”! Very funny stuff apparently.

Thanks to Joan for the news.

Source Unknown – Thursday 1st July, 2004

Principal photography has commenced in Swaziland on Wah-Wah, Richard E. Grant’s semi-autobiographical writing and directing debut film which is about growing up in Swaziland during British colonial rule. The film features a top-notch English cast including Gabriel Byrne and double Oscar-nominated actresses Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, and Julie Walters in lead roles. Nicholas Hoult plays the juvenile lead.

There is a strong South African supporting cast, including John Matshikiza, Michael Richard, Ian Roberts, Clare Marshall and Caroline Smart from Durban.

Wah-Wah is a coming-of-age at the end-of-an-age story set during the last gasp of the British Empire in the run-up to independence in Swaziland at the tail end of the sixties. Told from a 14-year-old boy’s point of view, it focuses on a dysfunctional family whose gradual disintegration mirrors the dismantling of colonial rule.

The time-warped isolation of the colonial community has created an incestuous, all- knowing, all- seeing society where every effort is made to maintain an outward show of normality.

In sharp contrast, independence prompts an outpouring of jubilation from the liberated Africans.

King Mswati III has given his Royal seal of approval for the film to be shot entirely on location in Swaziland with full government support and co-operation.

REG has landed a role as one of the character voices in Tim Burton’s new animated movie “The Corpse Bride” which is being made in London. The new film is set to be released next year, according to Variety.

Made in the stop-motion style of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the story is based on a Russian folktale about a man who mistakenly marries a dead woman as his living wife pines for his return. The movie is set in a 19th-century European village.

According to Burton, the whole thing is a “cheery story in a similar vein” to Nightmare – clearly this is a man for whom cheerfulness is relative – and will have some musical numbers, although not to the same extent as the Christmas classic.

The film sees the return of many of Burton’s favourite actors. Johnny Depp will be Burton’s muse once more, as he combines lead voice duties in The Corpse Bride with his starring role in Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fellow Burton alumni Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney and Christopher Lee will take roles, as will Emily Watson and Joanna Lumley.

Danny Elfman will also be returning to work with Burton when he scores the film, his thirteenth collaboration with the director. We therefore declare today National Hooray Tim Burton’s Making A Film With All His Favourite People Day, so go celebrate!

Thanks to Sue W, Sherna Noah and Empire Online for the news.

Empire Online – Tuesday 29th June 2004

Burton’s voice cast announced.

Way back in January we talked to the mop-headed genius that is Tim Burton, and he told us about a new animated project he was working on called The Corpse Bride. Made in the stop-motion style of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the story is based on a Russian folktale about a man who mistakenly marries a dead woman. According to Burton, the whole thing is a “cheery story in a similar vein” to Nightmare – clearly this is a man for whom cheerfulness is relative – and will have some musical numbers, although not to the same extent as the Christmas classic.

The big news today, however, is that the cast have been recruited, and rather exciting it is too. Johnny Depp will be Burton’s muse once more, as he combines lead voice duties in The Corpse Bride with his starring role in Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fellow Burton alumni Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney and Christopher Lee will take roles, as will Emily Watson, Richard E Grant and Joanna Lumley.

Danny Elfman will also be returning to work with Burton when he scores the film, his thirteenth collaboration with the director. We therefore declare today National Hooray Tim Burton’s Making A Film With All His Favourite People Day, so go celebrate.

PA News – June 2004

By Sherna Noah, Showbusiness Correspondent

British stars Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee and Joanna Lumley have landed roles as the voices in Tim Burton’s animated movie.

Corpse Bride, which is being made in London, will also feature Albert Finney, Emily Watson and Richard E Grant.

Johnny Depp will provide the lead voice in the film, set to be released next year, according to Variety.

The movie, set in a 19th-century European village, sees Depp travel to the underworld to wed a mysterious corpse bride (Bonham Carter).

His living wife (Watson) pines for his return.

The film sees the return of many of Burton’s favourite actors.

Depp is also playing Willy Wonka in Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while Finney starred in Burton’s Big Fish.

Lee featured in Sleepy Hollow and Bonham Carter starred in her partner’s Planet of the Apes.