The actress says new Bridget Jones statue is “sweet”, noting, “She’s cuter than me.”
Renée Zellweger has called the new statue of Bridget Jones as “delightful”, explaining, “I think, it’s much cuter than me.”
Zellweger was talking as the new statue commemorating the character she portrayed for more than 20 years was uncovered in the iconic London square on Monday.
Bridget Jones was first imagined in the mid-1990s by author Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the big screen in 2001. The latest installment debuted this past February.
Commenting at the unveiling, Fielding refused to rule out taking her story further, saying you should “never say never.”
Zellweger explained that audiences can relate to Bridget, which accounts for her massive popularity.
“Her vulnerability, her humanness,” she said. “We identify in her, we recognise ourselves in her challenges.
“It makes it OK for the everyone else to be genuinely who we are. Imperfect.”
The persona of Bridget Jones went straight to many women’s hearts, who felt understood in her ups and downs.
From her embarrassing work incidents, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget connected with a demographic who saw themselves in her—and has recently won over a fresh wave of younger fans too.
The latest movie in the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was debuted in February, and shows Bridget portrayed as a widowed mom and exploring modern dating.
It garnered varied critiques, but secured the best box office opening ever for a love story in the region, according to data.
The film was promoted as the conclusion in the saga—but commenting at the statue unveiling, two longtime enthusiasts, Faye and Wayne, said they were sure there would be a next chapter.
“There are so many things that were not wrapped up at the end of the recent movie,” said Faye.
“Her character keeps changing. I’d love to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the retirement home,” added Wayne.
When questioned about the possibility of a new chapter in Bridget Jones’ saga, Fielding said: “The door is open. Stories emerge as a author. So if a concept appeared that I thought was authentic and engaging and original then I would develop it.”
Some think the struggling and imperfect lead, who’s fixated with her body image and romantic situation, is not the strongest role model.
And Fielding herself has previously admitted that elements of the series seem less relevant today.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary would be impossible to produce today, set now, because all those men in the office would be fired,” she said previously. “It was a completely other era.”
But reflecting on Monday, she said she wished the wider message of the novel would still resonate for audiences.
“Personally, to have the reassurance of observing a character that you can connect with, because they are authentic and flawed and open, it’s like having the confidante you can be real with,” she said.
The sculpture is the first to honor a romantic comedy on the square’s movie trail exhibit.
The public art display first debuted in recently with the installation of several statues featuring classic duos, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.
In the time since, sculptures of the wizard hero, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, the beloved dog and Indiana Jones have been added.
