Hugh Grant hints that despite his novel character’s fate, Colin Firth could make an appearance in some form as Mark Darcy in the upcomingBridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. The fourth entry in the romantic comedy series based upon the novels of Helen Fielding, the 2025 movie is based on the 2013 novel of the same name.Grant will make his return as Daniel Cleaver20 years after his last appearance inBridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, with 2016’sBridget Jones' Babyomitting him as presumed dead due to an off-screen plane crash until its final moments.
WithBridget Jones: Mad About The Boyset to release on Valentine’s Day 2025, Grant opened up toScreen Rantabout the likelihood of Firth’s return as he attended the premiere of his upcoming horror feature,Heretic,at the Toronto International Film Festival. Despite his absence from the initially announced cast, Grant seems certain that a potential appearance by Firth’s Darcy will happen. Check out Grant’s answer below:
I’m not convinced that he’s not in it. I think they’re hiding something.
Is Hugh Grant Right About Colin Firth’s Potential Bridget Jones Return?
For Grant and his own experience with the Bridget Jones movie series, his skepticism over Firth not returning forBridget Jones: Mad About The Boyis understandable. Grant was outspoken about being unimpressed by the earlier scripts for the movie that would becomeBridget Jones' Baby, ruling himself out of the project and leading toCleaver being written out as assumed deaduntil his survival is confirmed a year later by the film’s ending. As such, with his own character having received such a creative exclusion, he may feel Firth could receive the same.
Mark’s fate is rooted in personal reasoning for Fielding.
While the movies have taken liberties with the lore of Fielding’s novels, as seen with Cleaver’s omission and replacement inBridget Jones' Baby, Mark’s fate is rooted in personal reasoning for Fielding. The 2013 novel thatBridget Jones: Mad About The Boyis set to adapt sawMark killed off in a landmine incident, which was inspired by Fielding’s own experiences with how life can be unpredictable through her experiencing loss. As such, while past movies have made clear deviations from their source material, it is likely Mark’s death will remain.
Though the casting announcement forBridget Jones: Mad About The Boyaffirms that Mark’s fate will remain true to the novel, Grant may not be entirely wrong in assuming Firth may return, albiet in a smaller appearance. Though controversial, the movie could carefully handle Mark’s death using the advantages the medium of film offers, allowing Firth to return via flashbacks as characters reminisce on his and Bridget’s life. As such, a return to the franchise by Firth may not be out of the cards after all, as Grant suggests.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
Cast
Widowed for four years, Bridget Jones raises her children while supported by friends and family. Pressed to rebuild her life, she returns to work and explores dating, meeting a younger man. Balancing romance, work, and motherhood, Bridget navigates pressures from all parts of her social and family life.
