Revised Role: Hugh Grant in ‘Bridget Jones 4’

Returning to Bridget Jones’s Diary

Hugh Grant is making a comeback to the world of Bridget Jones’s Diary, but not without some changes to the movie before agreeing to return.

Grant’s Role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

In a recent interview, Grant shared his thoughts on the upcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, set to release on Valentine’s Day 2025. Although impressed with the screenplay, Grant expressed dissatisfaction with the role of his character in the movie.

“I was moved by the script and felt compelled to contribute,” Grant explained in his interview with Vanity Fair. “However, there was no place for Daniel Cleaver in it. They wanted him included, but the end result didn’t sit well with me.”

A Personal Touch to the Script

Known for his meticulous approach to his craft, Grant took it upon himself to revise the screenplay. “I took the initiative to write some scenes,” he revealed, which were eventually integrated into the final script.

The Best Bridget Jones Book Yet

Despite acknowledging his minor role in the project, Grant commended the new Bridget Jones installment, describing it as the “best” in the series. “It’s both humorous and deeply moving,” he added. “I may not have a significant presence, but the film will undoubtedly evoke emotions.”

Revisiting a Love Triangle

Grant reminisced about his role in the original Bridget Jones’s Diary in 2001, where his character Daniel Cleaver vied for the affections of Renée Zellweger’s Bridget alongside Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy. Drawing parallels between himself and his character, Grant shared, “Some see Daniel as a reflection of the real me.”

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The Return of Daniel Cleaver

Grant sat out of Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016 due to his character’s lack of fit in the storyline. However, rumors of Daniel’s demise were exaggerated, as revealed in a newspaper headline in the subsequent movie. Now, Grant’s character is set to re-enter Bridget’s world in the fourth installment.

Upcoming Projects

Grant’s next film, Heretic, a thriller by A24, is scheduled for release on Nov. 15. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, featuring new additions to the cast, will hit theaters and Peacock on Feb. 14, 2025.

FAQs

Q: What role did Hugh Grant play in the original Bridget Jones’s Diary?

A: Hugh Grant portrayed Daniel Cleaver, one-third of a love triangle alongside Colin Firth and Renée Zellweger.

Q: Why did Hugh Grant opt out of Bridget Jones’s Baby?

A: Grant felt that his character didn’t fit into the storyline of the third movie, leading him to step aside.

Q: When is Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy set to release?

A: The movie is scheduled to premiere on Valentine’s Day in 2025, introducing new cast members to the beloved series.

Credit: ew.com