A new bronze sculpture of the beloved rom-com character Bridget Jones was unveiled on Monday at London’s iconic Leicester Square to commemorate 25 years since the first Bridget Jones movie hit theatres.
Renée Zellweger who has portrayed Bridget four times since Bridget Jones' Diary debuted on screens in 2001, attended the ceremony with author Helen Fielding, whose novels inspired the franchise. The statue shows Zellweger in a mini skirt, holding her diary and a pen, and becomes the latest figure added to Leicester Square’s “Scenes in the Square” trail, the hub of major global film premieres.
The spot was launched in 2020 to honour 100 years of cinema, and the installation also includes Mr Bean, Bugs Bunny, Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Wonder Woman. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, the series’ fourth movie, came out earlier this year.
The new chapter follows Bridget as she handles life as a widow and single mom with the help of her family, friends, and former lover Daniel. Back to work and on the dating apps, following the death of her husband and father of her children, Mark Darcy.
When Fielding’s 2013 novel revealed Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy had died, it caused an immediate stir and dominated headlines. The film adaptation has sparked similar reactions, with many viewers leaving theatres in tears. Zellweger claims she too had a similar reaction.
“I was a crazy person mourning this fictional character,” she said. “I was weeping.
“It was also for that shared experience with Colin,” the Oscar-winning actor added. “Seeing him in his suit and beautiful coat, with his briefcase, looking dapper and very Mark Darcy."
“This is the end…we don’t get to do this anymore,” Zellweger said.
After Darcy’s death, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Bridget's son’s science teacher, along Leo Woodall star in the film as love interests for Bridget.
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