The first teaser for “Absolutely Fabulous” has been released, and it seems as if Fox Searchlight is airing a ’90s commercial for a “cool, refreshing” drink.
“Straight up on the rocks and always with a twist,” says the voiceover. “When you must have the best, be sure to choose something cool, something refreshing, something absolutely fabulous.”
Last April, creator and star of the hit British sitcom Jennifer Saunders announced the news that an “Absolutely Fabulous” movie will be hitting the big screen in 2016, saying, “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.’”
The cult BBC series first aired from 1992 to 1995, wrapping up with a two-part finale event in 1996. It was then revived from 2001 to 2004, and once again for three TV specials from Christmas 2011 to the London Olympics in Summer 2012.
Saunders will star with Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks.
“Absolutely Fabulous” followed Edina Monsoon (Saunders), a heavy-drinking, drug-abusing PR agent who spent her time chasing bizarre fads in a desperate attempt to stay young and “hip.”
Along for the ride is best friend and enabler Patsy Stone (Lumley), whose drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and promiscuity far eclipsed even Edina’s. The voice of reason was Edina’s daughter, Saffron (Sawalha), the most grounded of the bunch.
Mandie Fletcher (“Blackadder,” “Absolutely Fabulous”) is directing the movie from a script by Saunders.
Jon Plowman and Damian Jones are producing with Steve Milne, Christian Eisenbeiss, Christine Langan, Nichola Martin, Saunders, Dawn French, and Maureen Vincent serving as executive producers.
“Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” is looking at a July 1 release date.