Like all good TV shows, Absolutely Fabulous has been attempting to make the leap to the big screen. It's been a while in the offing, but for those of you who've been waiting patiently, the starting gun is close to going off. While there are more details to hash out, and a couple more deadlines and talks to be had, it looks like the big screen move is about to happen for Edina, Patsy, and the rest of the crew.
The Wrap has reported that series star and creator Jennifer Saunders recently spilled the beans by announcing that the Absolutely Fabulous film is set to start shooting at some point this fall. Some of you might be cheering the news, and others might be wondering just how a show that's been on and off for the past couple of decades has finally decided to go to the silver screen. Saunders addressed exactly that sentiment with the following:
I didn’t do it for a while because I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be awful if it was awful,’ but now we’re all so old … Joanna [Lumley] says ‘do it before we all die.'
From the sound of it, Absolutely Fabulous isn't just a cash grab, but instead a reunion of dear friends who want to go out in the biggest way possible. With the show originating its trail of drugs, drinking, and debauchery back in 1992, and running on and off again through to 2012, it seems only fair that a show with such staying power be given the chance to take its story into a bigger medium. Of course, this is provided that there's a proper story to be told, and thankfully Jennifer Saunders has given us the broad strokes of what the film will be about:
It involves all the main characters and virtually everyone that’s ever been in the series, all those characters and we’re in London and sometimes we might go to the South of France, I’m hoping.
Saunders also went on to say that she was waiting for the budgetary figure of the film before she confirmed any sort of exotic destination, as she's hoping that if the budget allows they can go to the Bahamas.
Much like In The Loop before it, an Absolutely Fabulous movie could possibly bring a new batch of American fans into the AbFab fold, possibly even spurring yet another revival series. Of course, this sort of success could also mean that other British properties rumored for film adaptations might have to watch themselves, as they might be rushed into production to try and keep up. Or worse, they might try and turn Absolutely Fabulous into an American adaptation again. In other words, keep an open mind Doctor Who fans. You might find yourselves reading a very familiar rumor becoming true in the not too distant future.
Absolutely Fabulous will start shooting this fall, barring any catastrophes.
