February 11th 2025.
Bridget Jones is back, but this time she's without her beloved Mark Darcy. It's quite a challenge for director Michael Morris to take on a fourth installment of the Bridget Jones franchise, 24 years after its debut and nine years after the last film. But with a talented team of writers, including Bridget's creator Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, and Abi Morgan, Morris is determined to bring the beloved heroine back to the big screen in a new chapter of her life.
When I meet Morris at Claridge's for the film junket, we're given a quiet room to discuss all things Bridget. As we compare her past to her present, it's clear that the 51-year-old filmmaker is passionate about this project. He may not have seen himself directing a Bridget Jones film, but a chance meeting with Fielding sparked his interest in continuing Bridget's story. With a background in theater and television, Morris is no stranger to storytelling and is excited to bring Bridget's journey as a 51-year-old single mother to life.
Bridget's life has changed significantly since we last saw her. She's now a mother of two and a widow, facing a new set of challenges and priorities. While this may not have been the expected next project for Morris, his love for the character and dedication to getting it right shines through in our conversation. He acknowledges the previous films as fun and iconic, but recognizes that it's time for a change in the way we tell Bridget's story.
Adapted from Fielding's 2013 novel Mad About the Boy, the film follows Bridget four years after the death of Mark Darcy. The trailer has already given fans a glimpse of Bridget's grief and her journey back into the dating scene, with the support of her family and friends. While Mark may be gone, his presence is still felt in the film, with a few heartbreaking scenes that add emotional depth to the story.
Morris recalls the first day Colin Firth, who plays Mark Darcy, was on set. They were filming a scene in the house that Bridget and Mark had lived in together, filled with photos from their 25 years of marriage. Firth commented on how real the pictures felt because they had been a part of this story for so long. It was like being a ghost, walking through a space filled with memories and emotions. Morris also remembers some emotional moments between Firth and Renée Zellweger, who plays Bridget, as they filmed together. It's clear that Mark's absence is deeply felt by everyone involved in the film.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy may not be the expected next project for Morris, but his passion and dedication to getting it right are evident. He's excited to bring Bridget's story to a new chapter in her life, and with a talented team and a strong cast, it's sure to be another hit for the franchise.
Bridget Jones is back, but this time she's without her beloved Mark Darcy. It's quite a challenge for a director to take on a sequel for such a popular character, especially when it's been 24 years since her debut on the big screen and nine years since her last appearance. But Michael Morris, along with the writing team of Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, and Abi Morgan, are determined to bring Bridget back in a whole new light - as a 51-year-old widow and mother of two.
I had the pleasure of meeting Morris at Claridge's for the film's junket, where we were given a quiet and spacious room to discuss all things Bridget. As a 51-year-old filmmaker, Morris has already had quite the impressive career, having previously directed Andrea Riseborough to an Oscar nomination. However, taking on Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was not something he had planned on doing. It was only after a chance encounter with Fielding at a mutual friend's house that he became interested in the project.
Morris's background is primarily in theatre, but he has also worked in TV, directing and producing shows like Better Call Saul, House of Cards, Billions, and 13 Reasons Why. It's safe to say that Bridget Jones is quite a departure from his usual projects, but his passion for the character and dedication to getting it right is evident in our conversation. He acknowledges the previous films as being "fun, funny, and romantic" and recognizes the original Bridget Jones as a cultural phenomenon in the UK.
Adapted from Fielding's 2013 novel, Mad About the Boy, Morris knew that the story would have to change significantly, given Bridget's new circumstances. And who better to do that with than Renée Zellweger, who Morris praises for her ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and emotional scenes. The film sees Bridget navigating life as a single mother, with different priorities than before.
The most significant change for fans of the franchise is the absence of Colin Firth's Mark Darcy. In the previous film, Bridget and Mark finally found their happily ever after and even had two children together. However, in Mad About the Boy, Mark is killed offscreen, and the film takes place four years later, with Bridget's loved ones encouraging her to start dating again. In the trailer, we catch a glimpse of Bridget reminiscing about Mark, and Firth himself makes a few heartbreaking appearances in the film.
Morris recalls Firth's first day on set and the emotional impact it had on the crew. The scene they were filming was in a house that had been specially designed for the film, filled with photos of Bridget and Mark's life together. Firth remarked that these were real pictures, as they had been working on this franchise for 25 years. As he walked through the set, Morris says it was almost like he was a ghost, not quite a part of the scene, but still present in a way.
The director also fondly remembers some emotional moments between Firth and Zellweger on set, as they were playing a couple who had been together for so long. Morris acknowledges the significance of Mark's absence, as he was one half of one of the most iconic couples in British pop culture. But despite the sadness of his character's death, Morris is excited for audiences to see Bridget's new journey and all the laughs and tears that come with it.
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