Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie comes out in the UK today, although Americans won’t get the movie until July 22. So Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley’s promotional tour, thus far, has just been in the UK, and they’ve just been talking to UK outlets for the most part. Saunders and Lumley contributed an “on-set diary” to the Telegraph which was published a few days ago, and people have been interpreting one passage, by Lumley, as “shade” directed at Benedict Cumberbatch. The film has a lot of A-list cameos, but they tried to get Bendy and he turned them down. Here’s that part of the diary:
As well as working, I actually have to work. Mandie Fletcher, our director, is trying to lock down the casting of cameo roles between takes and sometimes I have to sit with her in a nice chair, eating a delicious Brie baguette, and throwing out names like ‘Benedict Cumberbatch’.
Although Benedict Cumberbatch, it turns out, is busy for the next five and a half years. What is it with actors? We are offering tiny, tiny, tiny roles that will take up minuscule amounts of time and it’s, ‘Oh no, sorry, I’m busy doing films,’ or, ‘So sorry, I am going round the world with all my actor friends for the next two years,’ or a simple, ‘I’m dead.’
I’m pretty sure AbFab filmed last summer and that Benedict would have been somewhat free to film for a day or two, especially if his cameo could have been shot in London. Meaning, he just didn’t want to appear in AbFab, which sucks. He’ll do a questionable cameo in Zoolander No. 2, but not AbFab?
Saunders also told media outlets that contrary to tabloid reports, Kim Kardashian was never up for a cameo or anything: “I don’t know who put the rumor out but it was never a fact. It’s not like [Kim] was on the phone going, ‘But I want to be in it. I want to do it.'” Saunders also claimed that she had never, ever said that Kim was “too crass” to be in AbFab because “I don’t even know the word ‘crass.’ It’s not in my vocabulary.” It’s true – no one is “too crass” for the world of AbFab.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Thank god there’s no Kardashian in this, not even for camp value. They all need to go away.
No Kardashian zone. Kim’s photo is under the word crass in the dictionary, she would need no direction or script. Thank you ladies for saving us from would have been Kim’s never ending tweets of her new big movie role.
Yes thank you thank you – now I can go see this movie! K family please go away already, so sick of them.
That’s classic Britisher piss-taking of pomposity. To whit: a criticism (of Bendy) but with no actual malice behind it. True AbFab stylee.
Even I got that they were joking, teasing him for being so successful and busy. I thought it was funny, especially pretending that “I’m dead” is a lousy excuse.
I dub thee honorary Britisher, GNAT!
You have taught me well. ❤️
Exactly! Shade thrown with love. 😘
It’s what the Britishers excel at. Masters of the put-down, done with a velvet glove. I’m in awe of them for it.
But his MUM was in it. It’s ridiculous.
If he’s that busy, maybe he wants to spend his limited free time living his life instead of work work work work work.
But that’s the thing – a cameo in AbFab would NOT be work it would be a blast of fun. Unsurprised to learn Cumby is no fun. Ah well, AbFab is better for it!
Maybe that’s why BC wasn’t in it. The threat of being linked with a Kardashian was too high.
Was she in Zoolander?
His mum’s in it – maybe he just wanted to keep things a bit separate after all the tweeness of his parents being in Sherlock.
Kim: I am so happy to finally meet you!
Patsy: ( looking at Kim’s frozen face) Happy? I thought you were constipated ! Also sweetie, don’t let your husband dress you
I am in live with this idea
Me too!! Kim would have been terrified to appear.
This does not surprise me.
A little cumberbatch gossip – my mother works at the RSC theatre, and as such we got to go see the dress rehearsal of Shakespeare, live! The variety show with many actors in to celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare.
Every single actor turned up to practice – John lithgow, judy dench, Helen mirren etc
But not cumberbatch. He literally just rolled up for the live evening performance.
It was pretty arrogant and tacky.
Wow, you and your mother are about as cool as it gets in my book. My eyes are shining at the thought of the RSC and actually getting to see behind the scenes and work there or visit your mom working there. What a privilege and honor and I’m gushing and babbling, aren’t I? Sorry. But wow, I can’t imagine it.
That’s very sweet!
I can’t speak for myself but my mother is the coolest – she has an amazing job, and is very generous with the perks. 🙂
Isn’t that somewhat untrue? i.e. there was more than 1 rehearsal, he missed one and not all the actors turned up to all the rehearsals?
Was it your mum who tweeted about the missed rehearsal and had all the tumblr haters in a tizz and saying that Judi Dench hated him?
There were several ‘normal’ rehearsals – one dress, all of which he missed.
All other actors came to the dress, even if they had missed others.
And no, that wasn’t my mum – she doesnt have Twitter.
However it could of bee any number of RSC employees – everyone was pretty annoyed by it.
I see, apparently the tweeter was a guy. Just to ensure full disclosure – there was a run through of the Hamlet skit before the live show. But, maybe you didn’t manage to catch that?
oh yeah there was a photo of that
also kaiser ab fab filmed during hamlet and ds from oct on in france, not the uk or the summer
You never miss a Dress rehearsal – NEVER. Its like giving the finger to your Director and all the Cast.
Photo of Cumberbatch and co. doing rehearsals of the sketch:
https://twitter.com/thefalcon_hotel/status/724267738718416897
Liar, there were photos of him at rehearsals.
Hey there was more than one rehearsal.
Liar? Too bad people don’t have to use their real names on here. It would be interesting to see if they would be as aggressive and rude.
Lucy.. are you Lucy Watson from Made in Chelsea? You sure sound like her. Sheesh, keep it a bit kinder ok? This is a place for fun – if you disagree fine but be respectful. thanks 🙂
And all the sockpuppets who’ve never post outside of Ben threads appear… *facepalm*
Lemme see if I have this right: If I only post occasionally, and only on BC threads, I am a “sockpuppet”/somebody’s alter ego? What Bullsh#*. There are actually people who aren’t invested FT in gossip on CB or anywhere else – you know, jobs, relationships, laundry…life stuff.
If you want a limited group of commenters, start your own site! I’m confident that CB is happy for our clicks when we do stop by.
And Meg, don’t kid yourself, BC gets the side-eye (and commentary) from plenty of people, esp. when he does pretentious crap like show up for a POTUS speech/photo op, instead of going to a dress rehearsal with Tennant, Kinnear, McKellen and Dench.
Yeah he did a pap op with his wife instead. I remember. It was when Obama visited.
Isn’t it amazing how many names pop up in the Cumberbatch threads who NEVER post anywhere else? *sips tea*
I’ve been here since 2013.
Check me out in the Leslie Jones story from yesterday.
I don’t appreciate your rudeness towards me.
I actually do work at the RSC (under Helena Palmer and with Annelie before she went on maternity leave) and this is totally untrue. Cumberbatch missed only one rehearsal.
I am very dubious, considering the amount of Cumbercrazies and sock puppets that show up here whenever his name is mentioned, that this is in any way true. Especially considering the Tumblr “sceptic” who claimed to work at the Barbican yet obviously had never even been there.
If your mother really does work at the RSC, tell us something only someone working there would know. For example, what’s the same of the RSC’s in-house staff magazine? I’ll give you a hint it begins with O. Happy to snap a pic of the latest copy with my phone and upload it! Or, what colour is the green room at the RST in Stratford (it’s not green). And what colour is the green room at the Barbican and what two interior design features are special about it?
I was surprised someone whose mother allegedly worked there was criticising an actor. I would have thought that confidentiality was a part of the the job, as it is in most workplaces.
No one who has any connection to it would call it “the RSC theatre.” For one thing the RSC is the name of the company, not the theatre. For another thing they have three separate theatres, two of which are in the same building (the RST and the Swan).
I call major BS.
Wow.
Lucy – i don’t know how you would know this unless you are local to Stratford-upon-Avon-, but most people here refer to it as the RSC? I added ‘theatre’ lest some people here are not familiar with it or are not from the UK.
Spiderpig – I can get all those answers for you and more if it’s that important to you – any other insider info you would like? Whose running the touch tour this week? The amount of staff discount you get in the rooftop bar?
Like anyone would make up working or knowing someone who works at the RSC 😂 .
Wow.
Maefabulous: You should know better than to spill Cumberbatch tea that is not flattering to Lord Cumby. As you can see, people will jump down your throat on this website faster than you can say, well anything. Don’t you know that the Lord Cumby rules the universe and can do no wrong? Maybe you’ve learned your lesson. Because you see, any unflattering stories about his (nor his wife) are not welcome here. A gossip website by the way, in case anyone missed that fact.
And yes, i hardly ever post on here anymore but really thought there was no need to attack anyone who had some legitimate tea re: Cumberbatch that some deem “unflattering”. Gossip police, please go away.
Thanks for sharing Maefabulous. Awesome!
Like I am seriously offended. I don’t post much anymore because I work but I’ve been posting on here for 3 damn years.
I’m seriously tired of Cumberbatch threads because of this. People are rude and obnoxious and so high on their own horses.
This is a GOSSIP site and some of us have been here for YEARS and posting on different stories/threads.
Maefabulous obviously does not have a mother who works for the RSC. It’s just Gator or Aelteri sockpuppeting again, the way they always do on CB. Probably most of the comments on this thread are one person under a million usernames. I wish she’s sod off and leave CB to the regulars who actually engage.
Ben missed one rehearsal. He did attend the other rehearsals. That’s been confirmed.
I’m really not sure what Cumby did to deserve the loyalty and staunch support of some of his fans. FYI…he’s not infallible and does make mistakes once in awhile. But…go ahead and start slamming us who don’t worship at the alter of Cumberbatch.
tbh there’s fans who are way too over the top with him and then there’s people who don’t like him who also go way over the top there. then the weird conspiracy people. it’s like 3 sides of the same dice
i thought the issue here was there’s actually a pic of him at a rehearsal? maybe the op just had the info wrong, innocent mistake, but it’s definitely not true that he never showed up for any of them
I love inside stories, they are always the best!
On a side tangent.. I subscribe to audibles and John Lithgow narrates Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You’ll Go and it’s magnificent! It’s only about 8 minutes long but it’s the best pick me up and happy thing ever 🙂
And raspberry face to Cumby.. he really does seem like such a snob.
I am sorry some were so rude to you…..further down the comments..
I for one was interested and I do not doubt you ..
A while ago I told a story relating to my work and despite it being true I could not totally reveal my background ..wow the hostility !!!
Please do not let it put you off!!
Hope to go up to Stratford one day and see a play…your mum must enjoy her work!!!
Oh my jeebers I love Jennifer Saunders
Countdown to Hermia, Felice and all the other usernames who never comment on non-Ben threads managing to bring up how Benedict’s wife is actual, literal Satan and anyone who doesn’t agree is obviously an obsessed stan and a nanny.
Where do I say she is Satan?
@Felice your username translates to Satan in nonsense lol
Whee! Who’s got the Cumberpopcorn?
…I have seen the trailer for this movie…total dross…
Hey Felice, I’ve been around as long as you have. I know you’re legit. Just ignore the trolls. They’re just trying to get under your skin. 😉 *offers virtual support*
Aww thanks you so much *hugs*
To be fair he’s also a relatively new dad, and I’m sure he’d rather spend his free time with family instead of doing a cameo
He literally begged Ben Stiller to have a part in Zoolander 2, saying he’d do anything to just be a part of it. He was an even relatively “newer” dad at that point, so… fiction.
It was definitely shade… with love. In 2010 Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French had Benedict and Wanda on their radio show – obviously well before Sherlock had become huge. They predicted he would go “stratospheric” and actually told him not to “forget the little people” who believed in him before he went mainstream.
And then he turns Jennifer down. I think she understood of course but it was shitty of him because as far as I can tell he’s not that booked. He’s got some voice work, and his two Oscar-hopeful-typecasty biopics are still locked in pre-production financing limbo right now. According to Saunders’ AbFab production diary, filming went from early October to late November 2015. I can’t be arsed to look back at his timeline, but I can’t imagine he didn’t have a day during those 2 months.