‘Old Mr Bean is what we’re now thinking of doing’: Richard Curtis reveals he is working on an updated version of iconic comedy show starring Rowan Atkinson

• The character, portrayed by fellow writer Rowan Atkinson, first appeared on screen more than 30 years ago in the 1990 sitcom 
• According to The Sun, the funnyman viewers are used to seeing will have become grumpier in his old age in Richard’s new version 
• It comes after Rowan recently admitted he finds portraying Mr Bean ‘stressful and exhausting’ – and has hinted he will never play role again 
• The actor is in the middle of developing an animated movie of the popular character, but said he finds ‘the weight of responsibility not pleasant’ 

Mr Bean could be set to make a comeback as show co-writer Richard Curtis is reportedly working on a new version of the comedy hit.

The character, portrayed by fellow writer Rowan Atkinson, first appeared on screen more than 30 years ago in the 1990 sitcom and was an instant hit with audiences.

According to The Sun, the funnyman viewers are used to seeing will have become grumpier in his old age in Richard’s new version.

Back in action: Mr Bean could be set to make a comeback as show co-writer Richard Curtis is reportedly working on a new version of the comedy hit (Rowan Atkinson pictured in character)

Richard, 64,said: ‘Old Bean is what we’re now thinking of doing.’

The series, which aired until 1995, was followed by two feature-length films with Rowan, 66, reprising his role in each.  

Fans of the show will get to re-live some of the character’s best moments in the ITV documentary Happy Birthday Mr Bean which airs on Sunday.   

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson for comment.  

Character: According to The Sun , the funnyman viewers are used to seeing will have become grumpier in his old age in Richard’s new version 

It comes after Rowan recently admitted he finds portraying Mr Bean ‘stressful and exhausting’ – and hinted he will never play the role again.

The actor is in the middle of developing an animated movie of the popular character, but said he finds ‘the weight of responsibility not pleasant’, meaning he ‘doesn’t much enjoy playing him’.

He said: ‘I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it.’

Speaking in an interview with Radio Times, Rowan said: ‘Having made an animated TV series, we’re now in the foothills of developing an animated movie for Mr Bean – it’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually.

Success: The character first appeared on screen more than 30 years ago in the 1990 sitcom and was an instant hit (pictured in character at London 2012 Olympics)

‘I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it.

‘I don’t actually like the process of making anything – with the possible exception of Blackadder, because the responsibility for making that series funny was on many shoulders, not just mine.’

The Johnny English star isn’t surprised about the success of his character, saying: ‘Mr Bean’s success has never surprised me.

‘Watching an adult behaving in a childish way without being remotely aware of his inappropriateness is fundamentally funny. 

Comeback: Richard said: ‘Old Bean is what we’re now thinking of doing’ (Rowan pictured in 2007)

‘The fact the comedy is visual rather than verbal means it has been successful internationally, too.’

Rowan wrote and starred in Blackadder between 1983 and 1989 and said the most optimistic he could be about a revival is that it is ‘certainly not impossible’.

Speaking on whether Edmund could resurface, he said: ‘It’s certainly not impossible. That’s about as optimistic as I can be, and I’d rather not speculate on when it could be set.

‘But Blackadder represented the creative energy we all had in the 80s. To try to replicate that 30 years on wouldn’t be easy.’

Show: The series, which aired until 1995, was followed by two feature-length films with Rowan reprising his role in each

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