Hugh Grant returns to Bridget Jones in a bittersweet sequel
"Bridget Jones" has been entertaining us with laughter for years. In the upcoming fourth installment of the hit series, there will be plenty of tears too, but this time for a very different reason. Hugh Grant revealed that it will be an exceptionally sad chapter of the beloved film series.
Hugh Grant has been attempting to distance himself from his romantic character image by playing anti-heroes in films such as "Paddington 2" and the latest A24 horror "Heretic." However, he will soon return to one of the roles that made him a romantic comedy legend. The actor will once again portray Daniel Cleaver in the announced fourth installment of "Bridget Jones's Diary." He previously missed the third film in the series, "Bridget Jones 3."
During an appearance on "The Graham Norton Show," Grant discussed his return to this iconic series. He mentioned that although the latest film will be traditionally humorous, it will also feature elements with a deeper emotional dimension. "As always, it's very funny, but also very, very sad," the actor remarked, adding that there was initially no role for his character in this production.
In the first two films, released in 2001 and 2004, Cleaver was the romantic rival of Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) for the affections of Bridget Jones, played by Renée Zellweger. However, in Helen Fielding's latest book, "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy," Cleaver's character does not appear. Nevertheless, the film team decided to find a way to include him in the production.
Grant emphasized that the script, adapted by Fielding, is unique and moving. "It's really a very good and touching script," the star noted. "I say this as someone who is usually harsh on scripts. This one was wonderful," he added.
The new film's story revolves around Bridget's life after the death of her husband, which, according to Grant, mirrors the personal experiences of the author. Fielding, after losing her husband, raised her children on her own.
Despite the challenges of incorporating Cleaver's character into this new context, Grant suggested some modifications to the script. He wanted his character, now older, to have a more complex storyline. "He's over sixty, so he can't just be wandering down King's Road, picking up young girls. Something had to happen to him in the meantime, so we came up, I came up, with quite a good story," Grant confessed.
The film will also introduce new characters, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave") and Leo Woodall ("One Day"), who are likely to play new potential partners for Bridget, who is re-entering the dating scene. The premiere of "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" is scheduled for Valentine's Day 2025.
