Renée Zellweger returns to the spotlight by donning the costume of Bridget Jones, the clumsy and incredibly endearing heroine who has won the hearts of several generations. The fourth installment, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, will be released on February 12, marking a highly anticipated comeback, no less than 23 years after the first adventures of the most famous clumsy thirty-something.
In this new chapter, the story takes a poignant turn: Mark Darcy is no more. Having become a mother of two, Bridget approaches her fifties with the same mix of humor and clumsiness that made her unforgettable. Once again, she finds herself facing a romantic dilemma: two very different men. One is her age, the other much younger. A heartbreaking choice that promises twists and misunderstandings worthy of the character.
Renée Zellweger, always enthusiastic and full of humor
In the midst of a promotional tour, Renée Zellweger was a guest on the show C à vous on February 4. Facing Émilie Tran Nguyen, she spoke with good humor and lightness about this new adventure of Bridget Jones.
Asked about the possibility of choosing the actors playing her suitors on screen, she laughed and replied: "Is that what you think?" before adding: "Honestly, we couldn’t hope for better. They are lovely people and excellent actors. It’s not really the hardest job, don’t you think? I’ve been so spoiled for 25 years."
For Renée Zellweger, Bridget Jones goes far beyond the simple framework of a role. She is a symbol, that of a woman who combines imperfections and strength, fragility and courage, while embracing her missteps.
What if a French actor joined Bridget Jones?
The actress also entertained the idea: what if Bridget Jones’s next love interest was French? Would the production consider it?
Émilie Tran Nguyen suggested a few names of French actors: Vincent Cassel, François Civil, Pierre Niney, Jean Dujardin, Tahar Rahim, Omar Sy… Enough to excite the actress, who exclaimed: "That’s at least three more films! Yes, I sign right away! Do you have their numbers?"
This nod to a Franco-American casting for a future installment of the Bridget Jones saga is very amusing, without seeming completely unrealistic.
Bridget’s iconic underwear: a global phenomenon
It’s impossible to talk about Bridget Jones without mentioning her famous giant underwear. A true icon of the franchise, it embodies the heroine’s unashamed anti-glamour.
On the set of C à vous, Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine revisited the unexpected popularity of this piece of lingerie. Upon the release of the first film, sales of this model jumped by 17%, while those of thongs plummeted.
The icing on the cake: the underwear worn by Renée Zellweger in the film, signed by Hugh Grant with the note "Hello Mummy," was even auctioned for 2,300 euros. With a burst of laughter, Renée quipped: "Really? Does anyone have a pen?" To which Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine replied: "I have a pair of underwear."
An awkward but liberating dance
In a moment of genuine relaxation, Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine and Renée Zellweger shared a little improvised choreography on the set, a sequence both hilarious and slightly embarrassing, much like Bridget Jones.
"We are very happy to have you," declared the host. "And we are especially delighted to see Bridget again, whom we missed so much. Thanks to her, we learn to love ourselves as we are, with our imperfections. And we even dare to perform this kind of awkward dance in front of millions of viewers!"
Touched, Renée Zellweger warmly thanked her host for this enthusiastic welcome.
A character still iconic and timeless
If Bridget Jones continues to captivate after so many years, it’s because she embodies the very spirit of the modern woman: embracing her flaws, asserting her desires, and downplaying her clumsiness. Her sense of humor and authenticity set her far apart from the stereotypes often portrayed in romantic comedies.
At a time when appearance still often takes precedence, Bridget Jones reminds everyone that the essential lies in self-acceptance. By reprising this iconic role, Renée Zellweger delivers a new life lesson, full of tenderness and candor.
The film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy releases on February 12. An ideal opportunity to reunite with this unforgettable heroine and share a moment of laughter and lightness with her.
