A film based off of Wham’s! Last Christmas is in the works

21st July 2018

The film is being produced by Emma Thompson, and George Michael was signed on to participate in its creation before his death.

A film based on Wham’s! romantic Christmas hit Last Christmas is in the works. And speaking to Radio Times.com, Bryony Kimmings, one of the film’s co-writers confirmed that George Michael was involved in the project before his death.

“When I came on board, George was up for it, he’d already signed something to say yes, but he’d passed away,” Kimmings said. She then went on to say that “Greg [Wise] and Emma [Thompson] were still very keen to write it.” She also added that the original idea came from Wise, Thompson and Michael.

Elsewhere in the interview, Kimmings said that she was inspired by Michael’s LGBTQ advocacy, and that this inspired her to put a trans lead in the film. However, she conceded that she “doubted” that the character would remain the film’s lead.

“[When] I wrote my draft, I tried to slip in some trans people and make sure there was queer politics in there,” she said. “I don’t know how much of that remains!”

However, despite her belief that her trans lead has been axed, Kimmings expressed hope that some of the LGBTQ elements would remain, saying: “But I hope that there’s quite an element of queer in there, because you know it’s the story – it’s based on the song, Last Christmas.

“George was such a massive advocate for gay rights – and a massive gay himself! – so I hope there’s a gay narrative in there.”

Casting is yet to be announced for the film, but Bridesmaids’s director Paul Feig is set to direct it, while Emma Thompson will be co-producing the film with David Livingstone, who previously produced the 2014 film Pride.

Last year, Wham! super-fans David Robson and June Clark started a campaign to get Last Christmas to the Christmas number one, as a tribute to the “national icon.” Despite the campaign getting the backing from Michael’s former bandmate, Andrew Ridgley, the campaign was ultimately unsuccessful as the single only reached number two.