Mrs Brown’s industry set to spawn a film sequel
It is believed that Universal Studios has expressed strong interest in shooting a sequel next year.
The success of the movie — the second-highest grossing Irish film of all time after the Guildford-four feature, In the Name of the Father, in 1993 — has helped further fuel a burgeoning industry that includes television shows, local offshoots, animation projects, and mechanising around the Mrs Brown character created and played by Dubliner Brendan O’Carroll.
Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie was the biggest draw at the Irish box office last year, beating all comers, including Transformers. In Britain, it also sold well for a non-Hollywood movie, with only Paddington and The Inbetweeners 2 taking more at the box office.
The global takings include most countries on the continent and Australia, though it was not released in the US.
The BBC holds the rights to the television show, which has become a ratings-topper in Ireland and Britain.
Legal adviser Simon Carty said O’Carroll had “cleverly” chosen to retain the rights over the format of the television show, which has now been sold and adapted into French Quebec, Romania, Poland, and Russia. There are now plans to sell the format to France and Germany.
The local television versions are remakes, usually featuring a national comedian who dresses as the Mrs Brown character. O’Carroll has control over the credits and the titles of the show, Mr Carty said.
There are also plans to sell an animation version of Mrs Brown.
Meanwhile, BBC owns the Mrs Brown’s Boys television show that features O’Carroll and is sold around the world by Universal, including into Scandinavia and South Africa.
The franchise has also spawned a Mrs Brown’s Boys website, selling keyrings, scarves, and other related clothing, and several books published by Penguin.
O’Carroll continues to tour with lucrative live shows in UK. Last weekend Mrs Brown was playing in Cardiff and is booked to run for five nights at the O2 arena in London next month, Mr Carty said.
