Richardson ran into controversy with a proposed three part papal satire which he pitched to Channel 4 in 1988. Several British newspapers picked up on the fact the script was being considered, generating anger amongst the Catholic establishment and after some unfavourable press attention Channel 4 scrapped the project. Shortly after this Richardson moved "The Comic Strip Presents..." to the BBC and produced two episodes based on the original trilogy screenplay, although they were heavily changed. He reworked the remainder of the story and again with backing from Film4 used elements of it to write the 1991 film "The Pope Must Die", starring Comic Strip regulars Robbie Coltrane and Adrian Edmondson along with Herbert Lom and Paul Bartel. Richardson again directed. The film experienced problems placing advertising in several countries, particularly the US due to its controversial title, received mixed reviews from critics and struggled to make back its £2.5 million budget, grossing $2,544,770 overall (approximately £1.7 million).