One of the greatest romantic comedies of all time is gaining another chapter. Renée Zellweger is reprising the titular role of Bridget Jones in a fourth installment of the hit franchise titled Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, according to Deadline.
Reuniting with Zellweger, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the 2001 original film, is Hugh Grant as perennial playboy Daniel Cleaver, and Emma Thompson, who starred in 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby as our heroine’s obstetrician, according to the outlet. They’ll reportedly be joined by franchise newcomers Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Leo Woodall, hot off his roles on Netflix’s One Day and season two of The White Lotus. There’s no word on a return from Colin Firth, who has played Bridget’s love interest Mark Darcy across all three films, or Patrick Dempsey, who was cast as her one-time suitor Jack in the last movie.
Based on the 2013 novel by Helen Fielding, who has also cowritten the franchise’s screenplays, the fourth installment sees Bridget navigating her early 50s and motherhood. Michael Morris, who helmed the Andrea Riseborough Oscar-nominated drama To Leslie, will reportedly direct.
Sharon Maguire, who directed the first and third Bridget Jones movies, told Vanity Fair back in 2016 that she would be interested in a return to the character’s world. “I like the idea that I kind of charted my life along Bridget’s life. When she was 30, and was nowhere near being in love with children, or finding those answers, I felt that was definitely me then,” she explained. “Then, in this story, I felt like that charted with my life’s journey as well. I didn’t have children until I was in my 40s, and didn’t get married until I was over 50. I’d like to think that I’ll get to play out my life’s journey through Bridget again.” Maguire continued, “It would be great, but I don’t know what could happen next,” adding with a laugh, “Bridget Jones’s Menopause?”
Universal is reportedly slated to release the film via Peacock on Valentine’s Day 2025 and theatrically around the world.
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