Renée Zellweger: 'Fingers crossed' this is not the end of Bridget Jones

Renée Zellweger has returned to her beloved role as Bridget Jones in the latest film titled Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. This film is being promoted as the fourth and possibly final installment in the Bridget Jones series. However, Renée expressed her hope that this is not the end of Bridget's story. During the film's premiere held in Leicester Square, London, she referred to Bridget as an 'old friend' and admitted that she is still coming to terms with the idea that the franchise might be concluding. With a laugh, she said, 'Let me live in denial for a little longer. ' Although there are currently no plans to continue the Bridget Jones saga, the author of the original books, Helen Fielding, has not entirely dismissed the possibility of more stories in the future. In this new film, Bridget is portrayed as a widow and a single mother, facing the challenges of modern dating. The narrative draws inspiration from Helen's own experiences, particularly her personal loss when her husband passed away in 2016. Renée described the film as a 'beautiful story' that is deeply personal for Helen, as it explores themes of loss, grief, and the journey toward finding new happiness. She expressed her gratitude for being able to play such a significant role, humorously adding that she was just trying not to get fired. The premiere showcased a touching reunion among the cast, highlighting the strong bonds they share. Hugh Grant, who reprises his role as the charming yet roguish Daniel Cleaver, was also present at the event. In this installment, Daniel was presumed dead at the beginning of the previous film, Bridget Jones's Baby, but he makes a surprising return just before the credits roll. The film introduces new love interests for Bridget, played by Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Leo portrays a younger man who matches with Bridget on Tinder, while Chiwetel plays a teacher she encounters during a school run and a rainy class trip. Leo shared that he felt a significant amount of pressure stepping into the film but found it relatively easy to work with Renée, who he described as 'joyous and generous. ' Chiwetel, known for his roles in more serious films, remarked that this project was a refreshing change of pace for him, and he enjoyed the warm atmosphere on set. Helen Fielding believes that the enduring success of Bridget Jones lies in its 'emotional honesty. ' She created the character in the 1990s and is genuinely touched that younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, have embraced Bridget's story. Helen noted that during her book signings, she often sees a large number of Gen Z fans, who are the first generation to have experienced a world crisis in a long time. She observed that they share similar emotional struggles and rituals with Bridget, such as enjoying ice cream and vodka. Helen expressed her excitement about the potential for this new generation to create their own stories in the future. There have been longstanding rumors suggesting that the character of Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth in previous films, was inspired by current Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When asked about this, Helen playfully remarked that if you compare early photos of Colin in the film with pictures of Keir Starmer, they do bear a striking resemblance. As for the future of Bridget Jones, Helen concluded with a hopeful note, saying, 'Never say never. ' The new film, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, is set to be released in UK cinemas on Valentine's Day.