'Marigold Hotel'

Writer Ol Parker, left, and Director John Madden of surprise hit film "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times / November 15, 2012)

Madden: A woman who's so universally adored by everyone in England.

What's the real dirt on Judi Dench?

Parker: She's a crackhead.

Madden: Impatient, superior, supercilious ...

Parker: Only concerned with whether her sushi is fresh. She's an unqualified nightmare.

For our readers who can't hear you laughing as you say this nonsense ...

John: It's an orgy of irony.

Is it true that there's a sequel in the works?

Madden: I wouldn't put it as a sequel at this point; I'm slightly nervous of that word in this context ...

Parker: An equal.

Madden: Yes. A second half. I think there's more of their story to tell.

Are you only going to make it if you do it together?

Madden: Yes.

Parker: That's a given.

And if you weren't sitting here together, would you still say that?

Madden: No, I wouldn't. I want Ol to believe that, so he can work on it.

Parker: I'll do it with anyone. But then it wouldn't be either good or successful. So there's that.

You're attributing that to John?

Parker: All of it, yes. I've got to be honest once. This would be that time.

calendar@latimes.com