On April 13, 2001, the movie directed by Sharon Maguire hit the screens. The production, based on Helen Fielding’s novel of the same name, immediately appealed to the viewers. The success of the film is primarily due to the excellently selected cast, but initially it was not intended to play the role of the title character.
There were many candidates for the role. What made you choose Renee Zellweger?
Before the filmmakers decided who would play Bridget Jones, they had their eye on many candidates, and the search lasted over 2 years. Among the actresses that were taken into account, there were both less known artists and world-class stars, including Cameron Diaz, Cate Blanchett, Emma Thopson and Tilda Swinton. In the end, the role of a 32-year-old woman lost in her life was entrusted. “There is an immediate sense of inner goodness and sensitivity in her. You can believe that she believes in fairy tales herself, but like Bridget, she is not a meerschaum and can bite back. At the same time, she is extremely funny and like no one else can make me laugh so much – Sharon Maguire in one of the interviews.
Renee Zellweger sacrificed herself for the role. The actress went through a lot of metamorphosis before she entered the set
For the actress from America, the role was a real challenge. As stated by Eric Fellner, “Renee is a professional who operates her workshop perfectly”, so as soon as she received the contract, she went into action. The creation of the title character began with changes in appearance. To gain 9 kg, she ate no less than 4,000 calories a day for more than half a year. She also stopped exercising, although before that, healthy eating and regular workouts were her daily routine.
In March 2000, Zellweger came to London to feel like a real Brit and learn an accent. She absorbed it, spending many hours every day in the city in the company of an diction expert, Barbara Berkera. In addition, to authenticate her character, Zellweger took a job at the London publishing house Picador. Although she was already popular at the time, she introduced herself as Bridget Cavendish and made every effort to ensure that no one could recognize her for a month of work. “If Renee could convince those who worked with her that she was from England, she could do the same with anyone else,” said Jonathan Cavendish confidently. For the role of Renee Zellweger, she received her first Oscar nomination.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
