Hugh Grant has revealed that he only agreed to take part in the fourth Bridget Jones film after rewriting his part.
The English actor, 64, played love rat Daniel Cleaver in the first two films of the franchise, starring opposite Renee Zellweger as the clumsy and hapless romantic Bridget Jones, and Colin Firth as buttoned-up lawyer Mark Darcy.
However, he did not reprise his role in the last film, 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby, where his character appeared to be killed off, and Bridget becomes pregnant.
The movie instead saw billionaire US love guru Jack Qwant, played by Patrick Dempsey, compete for Bridget against Mark.
Hugh told Vanity Fair: ‘I really couldn’t fit my character in – he just didn’t belong, so I stepped aside.’
Hugh Grant has revealed that he only agreed to take part in the fourth Bridget Jones film after rewriting his part (pictured in December)
The actor, 64, played love rat Daniel Cleaver in the first two films of the franchise, starring opposite Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones, with Colin Firth (R) as lawyer Mark Darcy
Revealing that he ‘loved the script’ for the latest instalment, he admitted ‘it made me cry,’ but again, there was no space for his character.
Due to the strength of author Helen Fielding’s work Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, which sees Bridget as a widow in her 50s with two children following Mark’s death some years earlier – and him writing some scenes – he decided to return.
Hugh explained said: ‘It’s absolutely the best (book) and I think it’s very funny and very, very moving. I’m not in a lot, I did a week’s work, that’s it … But when you see the film, you’ll be very moved.’
Production company, Working Title, confirmed earlier this month that the movie will hit cinemas on Valentine’s Day next year and said that filming had finally wrapped.
The most recent film, 2016’s Bridget Jones’ Baby, saw Bridget shocked when she discovered she was pregnant.
It ended with her marrying Mark, the high-flying lawyer who she’d had on and off feelings for across the three movies, and revealed that he was the father to her baby.
However, in Mad About The Boy, Mark tragically later dies while working abroad as a human rights lawyer, leaving Bridget a widow and the book follows her as she battles motherhood alone.
She also quits her job working in television to do the school run, with comical scenes expected as she struggles to keep up with the Yummy Mummies.
However, he did not reprise his role in the last film, 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby, where his character appeared to be killed off, and Bridget becomes pregnant
Hugh told Vanity Fair : ‘I really couldn’t fit my character in – he just didn’t belong, so I stepped aside’ however after writing some scenes for the fourth film – he decided to return
The most recent film, 2016’s Bridget Jones’ Baby, saw Bridget shocked when she discovered she was pregnant and it ended with her marrying Mark Darcy (pictured)
In Mad About The Boy, Mark tragically later dies while working abroad as a human rights lawyer, leaving Bridget a widow and the book follows her as she battles motherhood alone
Bridget will find herself in the middle of a three-way battle for her affections, between boytoy Roxster played by Leo Woodall, PE teacher Mr. Wallaker and a returning Daniel (pictured)
Bridget will also find herself in the middle of a three-way battle for her affections, between boytoy Roxster played by Leo Woodall, PE teacher Mr. Wallaker and a returning Daniel Cleaver.
A movie source told The Mail On Sunday in February: ‘Bridget is back and is about to take over London. Filming is being mapped out already…
‘All of the pre- production is in place. There was some uncertainty about whether it would get off the ground, but the movie is coming…
‘Renee is excited about bringing Bridget back. She adores the character so much. Bridget Jones fever is expected to sweep across London this spring.’
