Bridget Jones Statue Joins Leicester Square’s Film Icons

The beloved character Bridget Jones, portrayed by Renée Zellweger, is set to receive a commemorative statue in Leicester Square, marking a significant cultural milestone. This unveiling celebrates the 25th anniversary year of the highly successful Bridget Jones franchise, which has garnered a remarkable £675 million to date. The statue, expected in November, will honor the “unlucky-in-love” hero at the heart of four films, including the recent “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” and the original book series by Helen Fielding, loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

The statue will join an esteemed collection of cinematic icons in the “Scenes in the Square” project, which already features popular figures such as Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Indiana Jones, and Bugs Bunny. A teaser image reveals Bridget adorned with a distinctive Tiffany heart necklace and a “D for Darcy” pendant, though whether her iconic “big pants” will be part of the final design remains a playful mystery. This inclusion solidifies Bridget Jones’s status as a quintessential British cultural figure, recognized alongside other national treasures like Paddington Bear and even historical figures like Admiral Lord Nelson.

Author Helen Fielding expressed her delight, stating it’s a “huge thrill” for Bridget to be honored as a British icon. She encourages fans to “raise a glass of chardonnay to being ‘just as you are,’” reflecting the character’s enduring message of self-acceptance and relatable imperfections. The statue’s erection in Leicester Square, the traditional home of British film premieres, underscores the franchise’s profound impact on popular culture and its lasting legacy, celebrating a character that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. The project highlights the character’s journey from a literary creation to a global cinematic phenomenon.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/film/bridget-jones-statue-leicester-square)