Bridget Jones fans have been left reeling following the bittersweet news that a new instalment in the film franchise is on its way.
While Renée Zellweger has put pen to paper to sign up for the fourth movie as the titular character, the rest of the cast has left plenty to be desired among cinemagoers.
Zellweger debuted as Bridget Jones in the 2001 blockbuster Bridget Jones's Diary and reprised the role for two follow-ups - 2004's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and 2016's Bridget Jones’s Baby.
In each movie, Zellweger was joined by Colin Firth as heart-throb and love interest Mark Darcy while Hugh Grant was on hand to play the deceiving yet charming opposition in the form of Daniel Cleaver in the first two instalments.
For this upcoming flick, which is penned for release in February 2025, Grant will be back along with Zellweger as will another familiar face in Emma Thompson - but Firth will be notably absent.
That's because the fourth flick will be based on the third book in Helen Fielding's book series, titled Mad About the Boy, in which Darcy has died four years prior to where the novel picks up.
There are newcomers to the cast to welcome though, including 12 Years A Slave and Love Actually star Chiwetel Ejiofor as well as The White Lotus star Leo Woodall.
Mad About the Boy will reintroduce Bridget now in her early 50s as she navigates the challenges of modern life while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood.
But despite the exciting fact there will be another film for Bridget Jones fans to watch, the news that Firth will be nowhere to be seen has sparked anger.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan fumed at the news: "Bridget Jones 4 without Colin Firth...no thank you. #colinfirth."
A second similarly hit out: "Bridget Jones 4 without Colin Firth, yer no thanks, pointless, he's the only reason I watched & liked the last 3 films, I like him very much."
"I can't see the point without Colin, plus you can't really top the magic of the first Bridget," a third echoed.
Elsewhere, a fourth weighed in: "I really have no interest in #MadabouttheBoy if they're following the book and killing Mark off.
"I haven't sat through three #BridgetJones with three happy endings only for him to die now. Stupid film to make if that's the case."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Rihanna blasted for ‘religious mockery’ as singer sparks outrage with 'disrespectful' nun magazine cover
- Channel 5 The Cuckoo viewers fume over glaring blunder just minutes into episode - 'Ridiculous!'
- Death in Paradise detective: Diane Morgan REPLACED as frontrunner after BBC lands female lead for spin-off
"Def won’t be watching it if he’s not in it!" added a fifth in response to the Firth complaints.
However, there has been some support for the return of Zellweger in the iconic role.
"Bridget jones 4? REAL cinema is back," one fan celebrated on X before a second similarly praised: "GUYS THEYRE MAKING A FOURTH BRIDGET JONES FILM?!?! I for one can’t wait." (sic)
The film is slated for release in cinemas and on streaming service Peacock in the USA on Valentine's Day next year.
