As Renée Zellweger wraps up filming final scenes for Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy – everything we know about the much-anticipated fourth installment of the beloved franchise
As someone who has spent years navigating the tumultuous world of film production, I must say that the making of this movie seems to be a rollercoaster ride. The controversy surrounding the sequel is reminiscent of my early days in Hollywood, where neighbors and celebrities alike would often find themselves at odds with production schedules.
It seems that final preparations for the eagerly awaited new Bridget Jones movie are underway, as Renee Zellweger was recently seen shooting scenes with her in-movie younger love interest, Leo Woodall, at Borough Market on a recent Friday.
Over the past few months, starting from May, the actress, now 55 years old, who previously portrayed the main character in the last three movies, has been busy shooting scenes for the fourth movie titled “Mad About The Boy” in the city of London.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed by the production company, Working Title, that the movie will be released in theaters on Valentine’s Day next year, marking the completion of filming.
It appears that some key scenes remained unfinished, as evidenced by Renée and Leo, who is 27 years old and stars in One Day, being spotted filming a romantic date-night sequence only recently.
In the forthcoming movie, Leonardo portrays a muscular young lover named Roxster. After connecting online, Bridget gets involved in a brief romance with him.
The pair were laughing together while strolling past Bridget’s iconic flat above The Globe Tavern, where the character lived in the first films.
Outside on that street, it was where the memorable brawl took place between Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver in the initial movie, each trying to win over Bridget’s heart.
Previously, it was disclosed by The Mail on Sunday that Bridget plans to relinquish her well-known bachelor apartment for a family residence in picturesque Hampstead, North London – a location where numerous scenes were shot over the past few months.
With the long-awaited project finally coming to a close, here’s what we currently know about the cherished diarist’s comeback.
What is it about?
The fourth movie in the highly praised series is adapted from the namesake novel by Helen Fielding.
2016’s movie “Bridget Jones’ Baby” featured the character Bridget Jones being taken aback upon learning that she was expecting a child.
1. The trilogy concluded with her tying the knot with Mark, the successful attorney whom she’d harbored mixed emotions towards throughout the films, and disclosed that he was the child’s father.
Yet, in Mad About The Boy, Mark meets an unfortunate end while performing his duties as a human rights attorney overseas. This leaves Bridget a widow, and the story unfolds as she navigates single parenthood.
Additionally, she leaves her job in television to handle school drop-offs, humorously encountering challenges as she tries to match pace with the busy, stylish moms.
Bridget may discover herself caught up in a challenging love triangle involving Roxster, Mr. Wallaker, and the reappearing Daniel Cleaver.
As a long-time cinephile with a penchant for dissecting film credits, I can confidently say that the confirmation of this movie this year has me quite intrigued. The fact that the script is being written by renowned authors like Helen, Abi Morgan, and Dan Mazer is particularly noteworthy. Their collective talent promises a compelling narrative that will surely captivate audiences. Furthermore, having Michael Morris at the helm as director lends credence to the notion that this film will be a masterpiece. His previous work has shown an exceptional knack for bringing stories to life on the big screen, and I eagerly anticipate seeing what he does with this project.
Helen was likewise seen on set, preparing to bid farewell to her beloved character.
According to a movie insider, who spoke to The Mail On Sunday in February, Bridget is set to return and dominate the city of London. Preparations for filming have reportedly begun.
‘All of the pre- production is in place. There was some uncertainty about whether it would get off the ground, but the movie is coming…
Renee can’t wait to reintroduce Bridget! She absolutely loves this character, and it’s anticipated that Bridget Jones mania will take over London this coming spring.
Previously, when asked about the possibility of a fourth movie, author Helen expressed to Radio Times that every film produced is truly extraordinary, almost miraculous.
As a devoted admirer, I must admit that crafting quality films is no easy feat – from conception to fruition. Every step of the process requires dedication, passion, and skill. Yet, I am optimistic about our endeavor. Truly, I can’t wait to witness the final product on the big screen.
Last year, there were whispers that the film was cancelled because of a strike by American actors. However, reliable sources claimed these allegations were false.
In 2001, the initial release of “Bridget Jones’s Diary” brought in a whopping £222 million at the cinema, which was over ten times the film’s production budget.
Who is returning to their roles?
Apart from Renee and Hugh resuming their characters, viewers can also look forward to recognizing Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones reprising their roles as Bridget’s eccentric parents, Colin and Pamela.
Besides Bridget, her three close friends – Sharon, Jude, and Tom – will be returning as well. Actresses Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, and James Callis will portray these characters.
In the third movie, Sarah Solemani returns to play Bridget’s friend Miranda and a news anchor at Hard News, while Emma Thompson will make an appearance as Dr. Rawlings for a second time.
Without Colin Firth’s name on the cast roster for the fourth movie, fans worried that his character, Mark, might not make an appearance at all. After all, Mark meets his end in the original novel.
Nevertheless, it has been unveiled that Colin is expected to feature in the movie as well, following last month’s release of exclusive images captured on set showing Renee affectionately engaging with The King’s Speech co-star.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find myself delicately touching the cheek of my on-screen partner, her radiant emerald gown and stylish leather boots creating a captivating contrast to my signature suit and tie combination.
As a loyal follower, I stumbled upon an exciting secret – Colin’s comeback was intended as a massive surprise, and the movie bigwigs were doing everything they could to keep it hush-hush.
A source said: ‘Colin was always going to appear in the movie but it was supposed to be a secret.’
In the film Bridget Jones’s Baby from 2016, we find Bridget attending a memorial service for her former love, Daniel, who was believed to have perished in a plane crash. However, it turns out that he was still alive.
Patience will be required from fans to determine if the scenario involving Mark is real or just a dream sequence.
Who is joining the cast?
As well as the returning favourites, a host of big names have been added to the cast of the film.
Besides Leo being cast as one of Bridget’s love interests, Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor is set to portray another romantic character in the story.
As a devoted parent, I found myself excitedly watching as my favorite actor takes on the role of the charismatic Mr. Wallaker, our children’s PE teacher, right here at our school. Just last month, I had the pleasure of spotting them filming an enchanting camping scene together in the scenic Lake District, specifically in Keswick.
In a new twist, Nico Parker from The Last of Us will be taking on the character of Chloe, the babysitter, while Leila Farzad, known for her role in I Hate Suzie, is portraying Nicolette on set.
In the movie, Isla Fisher will take on an important character – she plays Bridget’s neighbor and fresh friend named Rebecca.
I can’t help but notice that she’s been capturing numerous diverse sequences while sporting a kaleidoscope of unique, attention-grabbing ensembles – it’s absolutely mesmerizing!
After splitting from her husband Sacha Baron Cohen, it’s been said that Isla focused all her effort on the film project.
As reported by WHO Magazine, the actress is using her own real-life experiences to create a genuine and layered portrayal of her character.
According to a source, Isla’s real-life experiences are serving as inspiration for her. She’s using those personal experiences to bring life to this particular character she’s portraying.
A source echoed to The Sun: ‘Isla’s real life is inspiring her new role in the Bridget Jones film.
As a lifestyle aficionado, I find myself delightfully immersed in my role as a dedicated single mom character in this new production, having forged an amicable bond with Bridget at our local school gates. To say I’m overjoyed to have been cast as Bridget Jones would be an understatement – the character has always held a special place in my heart, and landing this part is nothing short of thrilling!
As a lifestyle expert, I can confidently say that my personal journey has prepared me exceptionally well for this significant role. It’s truly rewarding to find myself in this high-profile position after navigating through some challenging times.
Apart from Renee, two young actors portraying their children, Billy (son) and Mabel (daughter), have also been seen filming together with her.
What can fans expect?
A teaser trailer for the film has already debuted in cinemas, to those moviegoers watching newly released film, It Ends With Us.
As reported by Digital Spy, the trailer portrays Renee’s character Bridget managing single parenthood while being aided by Sharon, Jude, and Tom.
In the scene, Emma Thompson reappears as Dr. Rawlings, showing concern for a flustered Bridget by inquiring about her well-being.
In an engaging portrayal, Hugh takes on the role of the playboy Daniel, unexpectedly assuming the task of caring for Bridget’s pair of children.
He is seen knocking up a cocktail that he names a ‘dirty b***h’, before taking a sip and amending it to a ‘filthy b***h’ instead, in reference to one of his famous lines in the original film.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that Renee spent four days filming at ITV’s studios in White City, West London, where programmes such as This Morning and Loose Women are made.
There she met presenters from both shows, including Cat Deeley who was said to have been ‘super excited’ at seeing her.
numerous employees burst with enthusiasm and longed to snap photos with the famous actor once they learned that their office was the filming location for the movie.
The filming took place on the set previously utilized by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for their discontinued show, Saturday Night Takeaway. Additionally, spectators from the show Loose Women were invited to remain for the recording of certain scenes.
According to a source from ITV, the scene was utter pandemonium; it felt like inviting Bridget over to work. In essence, it was an unparalleled delight. The atmosphere was electric and the news spread rapidly, leaving Cat in an ecstatic state.
At the beginning of this year, actor Hugh generated a lot of excitement about the upcoming movie with his hints that it would be exceptional, even claiming it would surpass all previous ones. In fact, he was so deeply affected by it that he admitted it made him cry.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating portrayal of lothario Daniel in the initial two blockbusters that graced our screens: 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary and 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Regrettably, it was a sad day when I learned he chose to forgo the third installment, Bridget Jones’s Baby, in 2016.
Initially, his character was eliminated through a plane crash, but a suggestive newspaper headline hinted at the end that he had miraculously survived.
Speaking to ET about revisiting the franchise, Hugh stated, “Let me say this: I believe the script for the fourth Bridget Jones is the finest among the four. In truth, it’s one of the best screenplays I’ve encountered in quite some time.”
He continued: ‘It’s based on trying to bring up two children alone, and then [it’s] all mixed up in the Bridget Jones [style] comedy, so its very sad, as well as very funny. It has me in tears.’
Hugh remarked: “Her writing another book seemed to unexpectedly inspire it. Fingers crossed that we’re not too outdated. Truth be told, I’m not very active these days; I only have a handful of scenes left.”
Additionally, it’s been made clear that the movie adaptation will tone down the main character’s excessive focus on weight loss, as concerns have arisen that this theme might be outmoded and potentially harmful due to recent protests.
In both the initial novels and the first movie, Bridget was consistently subjected to weight-based criticism, even though she weighed around 61 kilograms, which was the typical size for a British woman during that period.
In one moment of narration, Bridget displayed her negative body image, as she reflected: ‘I suddenly realised that unless something changed soon, I was going to live a life where my major relationship was with a bottle of wine and I’d finally die fat and alone and be found three weeks later eaten by Alsatians or I was about to turn into Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.’
In another instance, I overhear Daniel’s new companion remarking, “I believed you mentioned she was slender,” to which Bridget’s friend retorts, “Just like you? Not thinner? Not more intelligent?” as Bridget shares that Mark finds her exactly as she is appealing.
In one of the actual movie posters, the following was listed above a picture of Renée posing as Bridget: ‘Go to the gym three times a week. Don’t flirt with boss. Reduce thighs. Learn to love thighs. Forget about thighs. Stop making lists.’
The core premise was that Bridget is fat and Renee hit the headlines for gaining just over two stone to play the character.
The actress openly acknowledged her difficulty in putting on weight for the part and was said to follow a daily diet plan of approximately 4,000 calories to attain her goal swiftly.
She shared with The New York Times her typical breakfast routine: “I start my day with an omelette filled with cheese, sauce, and a side of rich yogurt. Later, I enjoy a fruit salad adorned with toppings, accompanied by juice, coffee with cream, and a bagel spread with butter. A few hours pass before I indulge in a chocolate shake fortified with weight-gain powder.”
Renee went through the process of gaining weight again to portray the diarist in “The Edge of Reason,” a role she took up after she had gained two stones, which she had lost off for the initial movie.
In an interview with Closer magazine, she noted humorously: ‘If Bridget is discussing her thicker legs, it wouldn’t make sense if they weren’t actually thicker.’
Back in 2016, I, a die-hard fan, was thrilled when Renee shared that she yearned to pile on some pounds for the next film installment. However, my heart sank as she disclosed that the vision was turned down by the directors.
She clarified that the writers intended for Bridget Jones’s on-screen character to demonstrate that she had reached her desired weight.
In a heartfelt conversation with the Daily Telegraph, I excitedly shared that Sharon had envisioned depicting Bridget as having reached her dream weight, yet this didn’t imply that her life was without flaws or struggles.
Throughout my life, I’ve discovered that there is always something within me that I believe needs improvement or correction – a personal ideal that I strive to attain. This ideal, this sense of perfection that I carry with me, has been a constant companion on my life’s journey. It may be a skill, a behavior, or a quality that I aspire to develop or achieve, and it serves as a driving force in my personal growth and self-improvement. This internal desire for improvement is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for change and evolution, and it is something that I believe we all share.
In an interview with British Vogue, I shared that my portrayal in the third movie reflects a character of “appropriately average weight.”
‘I put on a few pounds. I also put on some breasts and a baby bump,’ the actress laughed.
Bridget maintains a healthy weight, and I’ve always found it puzzling that this aspect is given so much importance. If a male actor were to do the same for a role, they wouldn’t face such intense examination.
In Bridget’s diaries, as well as in Fielding’s original novels, her weight was frequently mentioned. This recurring theme was faithfully preserved in the movies, with one notable exception: the third film featured a pregnant version of Bridget’s character.
But there are even references there; a friend of Bridget’s mother Pamela congratulates her on her surprise pregnancy, saying: ‘Wonderful, we thought you’d just got all fat again.’
It’s believed that Renee won’t gain weight for her role in the fourth movie, which marks a first for her.
Instead of fixating on her weight, Bridget now enjoys Zumba and feels more relaxed about gaining a few pounds here and there, knowing that she is already a size 10.
According to a source connected to the movie, they plan to address contemporary views on body image more thoughtfully. Dropping Bridget’s focus on her weight is considered a proper move in this regard.
What has been happening behind-the-scenes?
Despite the widespread enthusiasm for the film, it’s made news on numerous occasions because of various controversies surrounding it.
In London, it is said that the making of the sequel caused quite a stir among locals and famous figures, driving many of them to distraction.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share a juicy bit of gossip I’ve heard! Word on the street is that some big names like Harry Styles and Rami Malek, who call the neighborhood around the filming location home, weren’t exactly thrilled with the shooting schedule. Seems like they might have preferred a little more peace and quiet in their backyards!
Based on a report by The Sun, movie producers are sending notices to nearby residents, advising them to enter and exit their homes during specific timeframes to avoid disrupting film production.
According to a source, the filming of the movie has created quite a commotion in a specific area of North London, as there’s been extensive shooting happening there.
Residential areas where popular personalities like Harry, Rami, Ricky Gervais, and Rowan Atkinson reside are receiving notices from production teams regarding avoiding disruptions during film shoots.
In simpler terms, the letters apparently advise residents to stay away from their homes when filming is taking place, or vacate their homes during that time if they must.
The insider added: ‘It’s like they’re being held hostage by Bridget — and it’s driving everyone mad.’
In June, filming encountered significant disruption as a key actor sustained an injury.
As per the latest updates, the actor sustained a severe off-set injury and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where they learned they had a fractured bone.
Due to an injury, it seems that the production has been halted temporarily because the affected actor hasn’t recovered yet, causing a chain reaction of delays in the filming process.
I can confirm that this situation is indeed overwhelming and heartbreaking for everyone involved, including the dedicated cast members and tireless crew who had eagerly anticipated working on this project. [Source: The Sun]
Originally, they were supposed to film some crucial scenes for the movie, but following an unlucky incident, they encountered a delay in production instead.
The filming may not resume until at least July, causing a setback in our production timeline. This is particularly challenging since we need to accommodate the busy schedules of high-profile actors.
As reported by an inside source, the filming location for the upcoming scene depicting a garden party is scheduled to be Petersham Nurseries restaurant in Richmond.
However, things quickly returned to normal, and this month, the production company, Working Title, announced that filming had been completed, as per their update.
A photo uploaded to their account shows a director’s chair in front of the iconic character’s Borough Market home with The Globe Tavern seen in the background, with the caption: ‘That’s a wrap. See you on Valentine’s Day’.
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2024-08-19 17:28