Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy screenwriters Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan discuss why this new film’s love triangle is different from the other films.
“They assembled their Bridget Jones Avengers, and out of it came a script that really worked,” says Dan Mazer on co-writing Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy on Peacock.
After co-writing the last Bridget Jones film, 2016’s Bridget Jones’ Baby, this time around, Mazer collaborated with screenwriter Abi Morgan to bring Helen Fielding’s 2013 book to life for the streaming generation.
“It’s such Helen’s creation,” says Morgan, “and it’s just a really fun thing to be part of. And it’s very nice to be able to come on the robust work that Dan has already done with Helen and build on that. And also, you know, it’s about an ensemble of friends and an ensemble of Londoners, so in a way, it’s nice having those different voices to be able to strengthen the voice of Bridget or the voice of Daniel. It’s a nice thing to be able to work in this way, actually. I think it’s part of what Working Title often does on movies, and it really pays off, particularly with such a big brand as Bridget.”
How Mad About the Boy Addresses Loss of Darcy
As much as Bridget (Renee Zellweger) is an engaging character, so is her long-time love interest, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). With this book adaptation, Mazer and Morgan had their work cut out for them with relaunching Bridget without this foil. In an early scene, she stands on a doorstep with him, and when the friend opens the door, he’s not there. It’s a beautiful visual to portray this sense of loss.
“It felt really important that we found a way to place him in there,” says Morgan. “And I think the ghost idea was something we were batting around during conversations. A lot of the film is about Bridget finding herself away from Darcy, but also coming to see the value of what he gave her. And so it was a very nice thing to have him there, but in the same way, also to realize that there are other people that hold the memory/ghost of Darcy Colin Firth, Daniel, you know, and it’s very nice to see Daniel, who once sparred with Colin, with Darcy. You see even he understands Bridget’s pain and the sense of loss. So I think we’re also carrying that sort of the grief of the character, but also the grief that he’s not there throughout.”
“The challenge this time was, how do we keep the love interest fresh and different after three iterations of it?” says Mazer. “And how do we keep away from the traditional love triangle enmity between Daniel and Mark? With this version, we wanted to make Chiwetel and Leo feel different and not pit them against each other, but still have them as love rivals for Bridget’s affection.”
Roxster, Scott. . .and Cleaver?
Mazer and Morgan create a unique dynamic by not making Roxster (Leo Woodall) a villain and not making Scott (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a rehash of Mr. Darcy (even if girlfriend clearly has a type). Bridget is at a stage when she wants something different from her life, especially after grieving with two children.
“Scott is a really nice bridge to that,” says Morgan. “And actually, they’re both older, they’re not looking to have children again. So, what we’re also looking at the birth of a blended family, which is a really nice thing to explore. Chiwetel is just always gorgeous to write for, and there’s so much subtlety and quiet playfulness that’s going on. One of my favorite scenes is when he catches her in the chemist for her first raunchy weekend; it’s just lovely that he has a kind of dry wit about him.”
Meanwhile, while Roxster and Bridget seem odd on paper (even their hybrid couple name “Roxget” doesn’t feel right), there is a real connection amidst this new May-December dynamic for Ms. Jones.
“In many ways, Rockster has a kind of maturity to him that’s in contrast to her,” continues Morgan. “In other ways, he brings her huge energy and youth that she has left behind. And so it’s really nice to play with that. But fundamentally, you realize that there’s another kind of little grief in that, that they have to let each other go to move forward.”
But what about the Daniel Cleaver of it all? Hugh Grant reprises his role in the latest installment, and while the Bridget screenwriters have fun writing Daniel and Bridget dialogue, they know ultimately he wouldn’t be the right choice for our heroine.
“Helen loves the idea of Daniel always being the naughty boy who rides off into the sunset, probably with someone young, in his soft top car,” says Morgan. “And there’s a kind of playfulness to the fact that what they get in each other is a joy. And actually, what I really like about the work that everyone’s done on this, and particularly Daniel, is that you really you see a more mature side to Daniel; age is catching up with him. I think it’s great messaging, actually, that those people that you might have been madly in love with, who may have broken your heart, they also become part of the fabric of life, and they might become friends.”
Mazer says Daniel Cleaver is his favorite character to write for, with Hugh Grant a gift to play him. And yes, he and Bridget would be fun to write for, even if it wouldn’t be a happy ending.
“I’m always up for as much Daniel as possible at any point,” says Mazer. “I’d have them [Bridget and Daniel] together nonstop all the time, and it would be disastrous. But it would be hilarious. And because my instincts always lead towards the funny, I’d always push that as an idea, despite it being disastrous for all concerned.”
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is streaming on Peacock.
