Bridget Jones's Baby: Colin Firth admits he didn't think sequel could work without Hugh Grant
'We all have a reasonable scepticism of sequels'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It's been 14 years since Bridget Jones was last in cinemas, but now the character - played by Renée Zellweger - is back in Bridget Jones's Baby alongside Colin Firth and new cast addition Patrick Dempsey.
One notable absence, however, is Hugh Grant who plays Daniel Cleaver in the 2000 original Bridget Jones's Diary and its sequel The Edge of Reason, released in 2004.
If some fans are worried the series won't be the same without him, Firth admits he initially had the same fears.
The Independent spoke to The King's Speech Oscar-winner at the film's UK press junket and asked if he was disappointed he didn't get to reunite with his on-screen love rival.
"Yeah, well at first I thought: 'it can't possibly work,' he said, before quipping: "I had no idea [Hugh] would prove to be completely irrelevant."
"I thought it couldn't work without Hugh. I think it was really only once Patrick [Dempsey] showed up and [defined] it so well that I thought 'no, we're fine.'"
Firth also praised his co-star Zellweger stating it was "wonderful" to work with her again.
"[Seeing Renée] was when I knew or started to become optimistic that this was worth doing because I had as many doubts as everyone else - we all have a reasonable scepticism of sequels.
"But when I saw how alive she was in the role, I thought this may be in good shape."
At the same junket, co-chairman of production company Working Title Eric Fellner revealed if he could pick one of its past films to make a sequel of, he'd pick Richard Curtis film Love Actually - news which later sent a shiver down Firth's spine.
Bridget Jones's Baby is in cinemas now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments