In the realm of sequels that no one asked for and which will likely do little good for the reputation for their predecessors, the upcoming Bridget Jones's Baby is right up there with Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. It's been about 15 years since the original, very charming Bridget Jones comedy, Bridget Jones's Diary, first hit theaters and ended up being a bit of a sleeper hit. It was followed by Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, which is something no one, least of all me, wants to discuss for any amount of time. If someone were to attempt to repair such a misstep, however, over a decade after the fact is certainly on the late side.
Regardless, today brings our first full look at Bridget Jones's Baby, with Renee Zellweger returning to the role she originated rather wonderfully back in 2001. From what can be gathered here, from Colin Firth returning as Mark Darcy to the entrance of Patrick Dempsey as an American flirt, the film looks to be generally amiable but the question remains: why? Zellweger is a very talented actress, and it's great to see her back in films but this feels a bit too safe, a bit too nostalgic as a choice for a return vehicle. When she steps back out into a more daring role, however, I'll eagerly await seeing how she gets back into the rhythm. Until then, there's...this.
Check out the trailer for Bridget Jones's Baby right below:
Here's the official synopsis for the film via Working Title:
Oscar® winners Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth are joined by Patrick Dempsey for the next chapter of the world’s favorite singleton in Bridget Jones’s Baby. Directed by Sharon Maguire (Bridget Jones’s Diary), the new film in the beloved comedy series based on creator Helen Fielding’s heroine finds Bridget unexpectedly expecting.
After breaking up with Mark Darcy (Firth), Bridget Jones’s (Zellweger) “happily ever after” hasn’t quite gone according to plan. Fortysomething and single again, she decides to focus on her job as top news producer and surround herself with old friends and new. For once, Bridget has everything completely under control. What could possibly go wrong?
Then her love life takes a turn and Bridget meets a dashing American named Jack (Dempsey), the suitor who is everything Mr. Darcy is not. In an unlikely twist she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch…she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby’s father.
The much-anticipated third installment of the Bridget Jones’s franchise welcomes fellow Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson to the cast. Longtime collaborators Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films produce alongside Debra Hayward. Universal Pictures will distribute Bridget Jones’s Baby in North America and select international territories.
