It’s been confirmed by the production company behind the well-loved Bridget Jones series that a fourth instalment is in the works, based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel, Mad About the Boy. Despite missing out on the last film, Hugh Grant is due to return to the screen as the notoriously charming Daniel Cleaver in this latest edition.
The previous Bridget Jones movie, released in 2016, followed the journey of Bridget’s unexpected pregnancy, intertwined with a love dilemma, as long-standing romantic interest Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and a fresh prospect portrayed by Patrick Dempsey, competed for her love. Firth, however, won’t be reprising his role in the new film, which takes place four years following these events, wherein we find Bridget as a widow and mother of two following the tragic death of Mark due to a landmine in Sudan.
Joining the cast alongside Hugh Grant and Renée Zellweger are Emma Thompson, reprising her role as Bridget’s physician from the third film, as well as franchise newcomers, Chiwetel Ejiofor and rising star, Leo Woodall, who’s been seeing success with roles in The White Lotus and One Day.
In a recent development, it’s been hinted that Woodall will play the role of Bridget’s new love interest, as she navigates the dating scene following her husband’s passing. Helen Fielding herself has written the script with Michael Morris, most known for his film To Leslie, slated to direct. This marks the first time a male director will lead a Bridget Jones film; previously, the series was directed by Sharon Maguire and Beeban Kidron.
Shooting for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is scheduled to begin in London this summer, aiming for release in February of next year to coincide with Valentine’s Day. The Bridget Jones franchise has been a significant commercial success, grossing $760 million at the box office thus far, with the first film also scoring an Oscar nomination for Renée Zellweger back in 2001.
The upcoming movie, similar to its predecessors, will be both produced by Working Title and distributed by Universal. This signifies Zellweger’s return to the major film scene following her 2019 portrayal of Judy Garland in Judy, a performance which earned her an Oscar.
Grant is currently sharing the spotlight with Kate Winslet in the miniseries named The Regime. Meanwhile, Thompson was last seen in Matilda: The Musical. On another note, Ejiofor made his second directorial debut with Rob Peace, which launched at Sundance in January. Woodall, at present, is engaged in the filming of the courtroom drama Nuremberg, where he works with stars such as Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon. – Reported by Guardian.