Rowan Atkinson is 'extremely excited' for return of Blackadder as cast 'discuss fifth series set in the modern era at secret meeting'
Rowan Atkinson has told friends he is 'excited' to return to his role as Edmund Blackadder in a rumoured reboot of the cult comedy classic.
Following comments made by the show's creator Richard Curtis last week that he would love to bring back the show, insiders claim plans are already underway with the show's stars reportedly meeting at London member's club Soho House.
A source has told The Sun that Rowan, 64, is 'extremely excited' to star in a fifth series of the historical comedy, 19 years after a special last aired.
He's back! Rowan Atkinson has told friends he is 'excited' to return to his role on Edmund Blackadder in a rumoured reboot of the cult comedy classic
The report claims Edmund Blackadder's latest incarnation will be as a university lecturer, an idea put forward at a recent meeting between the actor and his old co-stars including Tony Robinson.
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A source said: 'They were all having a great laugh and they are all old friends. So they just said, "Yes, let's do it". It is being written now. Rowan has been saying he is extremely excited.'
The source added of the proposed comeback: 'It will be in the modern day. Blackadder will be a lot older, of course, so they've come up with the ageing university lecturer idea.
Sidekick: The report claims Edmund Blackadder's latest incarnation would be as a university lecturer, with Tony Robinson also returning as Baldrick (right)
'Curtis and Atkinson have discussed guest appearances from stars such as Tom Hardy and Russell Brand.'
Representatives for Atkinson and Curtis have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
The rumoured cast meet-up comes after Richard teased last week that he'd love to reunited Rowan and Tony for fans.
Speaking to the new issue of the Radio Times, the filmmaker said he'd like to see the show's title character, played by Atkinson, become a grumpy old man in a twist on the original series' portrayal of the anti-authoritarian character.
Comeback? It's been 19 years since fans were last treated to a Blackadder special
Curtis said: 'The thing about Blackadder was, it was a young man's show criticising older people, saying how stupid those in authority were.
'So I did once think: 'If we ever did anything again, it should be Blackadder as a teacher in a university, about how much we hate young people!''
Curtis said he's keen to put Blackadder on stage, admitting 'I'm always hoping Rowan and I will do one last live show and bring on Blackadder for a 10-minute bit. Getting Rowan and Tony Robinson on stage together again would be gorgeous.'
All-star: The comedy spoof aired from 1983 until 1989 and also starred Patsy Byrne, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnemy and Miranda Richardson
The comedy spoof aired from 1983 until 1989 and also starred comedy giants Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnemy, Tom Baker and the late Rik Mayall.
The final scene of the 1989 series set during World War One saw Edmund Blackadder, Baldrick (Robinson), Lieutenant George (Laurie) and Captain Kevin Darling (McInnemy) charge into No Man's Land.
Since that series, there has been a Comic Relief skit, a Christmas special and Blackadder: Back & Forth which was shown at the Millennium Dome in 2000.
More to come: Richard Curtis said he'd loved to see the show's title character, played by Atkinson, become a grumpy old man in a twist on the original series
Iconic: Curtis said he's keen to put Blackadder in stage, admitting 'I'm always hoping Rowan and I will do one last live show and bring on Blackadder for a 10-minute bit
Back in 2013 the show's writer Ben Elton declared that 'Blackadder is not finished.'
Speaking alongside the show's producer, John Lloyd, to Event Magazine, he added 'We'll never officially close it down…ever.'
Lloyd added: 'It was always the idea that the last episode would be this tragic thing, but I don't think we ever decided that it would be the last series.
'And I suppose in many ways we still haven't decided.'
New issue: Richard made the confessions in the issue of the Radio Times, out now
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