Renée Zellweger declares new Bridget Jones statue is “sweet”, noting, “It’s sweeter than me.”

Bridget Jones statue in Leicester Square
The new statue was revealed in Leicester Square on the start of the week.

The Oscar-winning actress has called the new statue of Bridget Jones as “endearing”, adding, “I think, it’s much cuter than me.”

The actress was talking as the recently revealed statue commemorating the character she portrayed for many years was unveiled in the iconic London square on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was first imagined in the mid-1990s by author Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the big screen in 2001. The newest movie debuted in recent months.

Speaking at the ceremony, Fielding did not dismiss writing more, saying you should “always keep options open.”

The star noted that audiences can connect with Bridget, which explains her huge appeal.

“Her sensitivity, her humanity,” she said. “We see our own reflections in her, we relate in her challenges.

“It reassures us for the others to be truly who we are. Real.”

Bridget Jones character image

The persona of Bridget Jones touched many female hearts, who found solace in her ups and downs.

From her humorous work blunders, to her iconic granny pants, Bridget connected with a demographic who identified in her—and has attracted a new generation of new admirers too.

The latest movie in the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was debuted in early this year, and depicts Bridget living as a widowed mom and facing today’s relationships.

It garnered divided opinions, but achieved the best theatrical launch ever for a love story in the region, according to industry sources.

The film was promoted as the last installment in the saga—but reflecting at the ceremony, two longtime enthusiasts, Faye and Wayne, said they were sure there would be a next chapter.

“There are so many things that were open-ended at the end of the last film,” said Faye.

“Her character keeps changing. I want to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the nursing home,” added Wayne.

When prompted about the chance of a new chapter in Bridget Jones’ journey, Fielding said: “Never say never. Stories emerge as a author. So if a story appeared that I thought was true and interesting and new then I would develop it.”

A few commentators think the struggling and imperfect lead, who’s obsessed over her appearance and love life, is not the ideal example.

And Fielding herself has previously admitted that elements of the story have not aged well.

Bridget Jones’s Diary would be impossible to produce now, written in this era, because all those workplace characters would be sacked,” she said last year. “It was a really different time.”

But speaking on the unveiling day, she said she hoped the wider message of the story would continue to chime for readers.

“In my view, to have the comfort of watching a persona that you can connect with, because they are real and imperfect and vulnerable, it’s like having the companion you can be honest with,” she said.

The monument is the pioneering to honor a rom com on the landmark’s Scenes in the Square trail.

The Scenes in the Square display originally launched in recently with the introduction of eight sculptures featuring classic duos, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

Since then, sculptures of the wizard hero, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, the giant canine and the explorer have been installed.

Melanie Bauer
Melanie Bauer

Tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society, with a background in software development.