Love Actually was very nearly a supernatural film - and it explains a lot

The film ended up going in quite a different direction, but there are still some remnants of the supernatural storyline that made it into the final cut

Whether you love it or loathe it, Love Actually has established itself as a Christmas classic that will be on many festive watch lists for years to come. However, fans may not realise that it was initially destined to be a very different film.

The 2003 flick directed by Richard Curtis, follows eight central couples whose lives intertwine in various ways in the days leading up to Christmas. Its glittering cast includes Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister, Emma Thompson and the late Alan Rickman as spouses Karen and Harry, and Andrew Lincoln as Mark, a man deeply in love with his best friend's new wife Juliet (Kieran Knightley).

The romantic comedy, which was recently voted the UK's favourite feel-good film, was actually supposed to feature a supernatural being that had special powers and could alter the lives of the characters. It might sound unbelievable, but look a little bit closer and you can see hints of a supernatural storyline peppered throughout the film.

So who was the supernatural being supposed to be? Love Actually script editor Emma Freud took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the truth about one of the film's most beloved characters.

Rowan Atkinson portrays jewellery salesman Rufus, who viewers meet when Harry (Rickman) sees a gold necklace he wants to buy for his secretary while out on a shopping trip with his wife. Rufus offers to gift wrap the item, before embarking on a painstaking wrapping process which includes putting it in a box, inside a bag and adding cinnamon sticks.

Fans have long speculated about the reason the character took so long to wrap the gift, especially with Harry hurrying him along. Now, Emma has revealed why, telling fans: "Originally Rowan's character over-wrapped the gift on purpose to stop Alan Rickman being able to buy the necklace. Because he was an angel."

As viewers discover, Rufus' efforts don't pay off as Harry secures the gift and hands it to his secretary, while he gives his wife a Joni Mitchell CD. Had he been an angel as initially intended, one of the film's most heartbreaking scenes, where Karen realises the necklace was never intended for her, would never have occurred.

Despite the change of direction, Rufus' good deeds are still in the film, even though he doesn't have any powers. Near the end, Rufus reappears in the airport and stalls a staff member in order to help Thomas Brodie-Sangster's character Sam reach Joanna (Olivia Olson) and confess his love.

Since the revelation about the initial plans for Rufus, one fan said: "That scene makes much more sense with that 'explanation' now," as another said: "OMG I KNEW IT! My husband and my family never believe me when I say he was a Christmas angel! Rowan Atkinson FTW!"