Renée Zellweger says freshly unveiled Bridget Jones statue is “charming”, noting, “She’s more charming than me.”
Renée Zellweger has called the new statue of Bridget Jones as “adorable”, remarking, “I think, it’s much cuter than me.”
Zellweger was commenting as the recently revealed statue celebrating the character she played for over two decades was uncovered in the iconic London square on the start of the week.
Bridget Jones was introduced in 1996 by writer Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the movies in 2001. The fourth film was released this past February.
Talking at the reveal, Fielding left open taking her story further, remarking you should “always keep options open.”
The star added that everyone can see themselves in Bridget, which accounts for her enduring charm.
“It’s her sensitivity, her humanness,” she said. “We recognise ourselves in her, we connect in her journeys.
“It gives permission for the everyone else to be genuinely who we are. Real.”
The persona of Bridget Jones resonated deeply with many female hearts, who took comfort in her ups and downs.
From her awkward work mishaps, to her notorious granny pants, Bridget resonated with a age group who saw themselves in her—and has recently won over a new generation of new admirers too.
The latest movie in the saga, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in February, and depicts Bridget living as a solo parent and tackling modern dating.
It received mixed reviews, but achieved the highest cinema debut ever for a rom-com in the region, according to industry sources.
The film was promoted as the final one in the franchise—but reflecting at the statue unveiling, two longtime enthusiasts, Faye and Wayne, said they were sure there would be a follow-up.
“There are so many things that were not wrapped up at the finale of the last film,” said Faye.
“Bridget keeps growing. I’d love to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the nursing home,” added Wayne.
When prompted about the possibility of a new chapter in Bridget Jones’ saga, Fielding said: “Anything is possible. Ideas arrive as a writer. So if a concept appeared that I thought was authentic and interesting and new then I would write it.”
Certain critics think the floundering and human heroine, who’s fixated with her body image and relationship status, is not the best example.
And Fielding herself has previously admitted that elements of the narrative feel dated.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created now, placed in modern times, because all those workplace characters would be dismissed,” she said in the past. “It was a really different time.”
But speaking on the unveiling day, she said she wished the overarching idea of the story would continue to chime for readers.
“In my view, to have the reassurance of seeing a persona that you can identify with, because they are real and imperfect and emotionally honest, it’s like having the companion you can be real with,” she said.
The monument is the pioneering to honor a rom com on the landmark’s movie trail walk.
The cinema sculpture exhibition was introduced in recently with the installation of multiple figures featuring Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.
After that, figures of the wizard hero, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, the beloved dog and Indiana Jones have been installed.