Moviefone Editorial

Tag: emma thompson

  • ‘Dead of Winter’ Interview: Emma Thompson and Judy Greer

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    Opening in theaters on September 26th is the new action thriller ‘Dead of Winter’, which was directed by Brian Kirk (’21 Bridges’) and stars Emma Thompson (‘Cruella’) and Judy Greer (‘Halloween Kills’).

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    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Thompson and Judy Greer about their work on ‘Dead of Winter’, their first reactions to the screenplay, their approach to their characters, working together and the challenges of shooting on the ice.

    Emma Thompson stars in 'Dead of Winter'.
    Emma Thompson stars in ‘Dead of Winter’.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interviews.

    Related Article: Emma Thompson to Star in Action Thriller ‘The Fisherwoman’

    Emma Thompson in 'Dead of Winter'. Photo: Vertical.
    Emma Thompson in ‘Dead of Winter’. Photo: Vertical.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you both talk about your first reactions to the screenplay and why you both wanted to be part of this project?

    Emma Thompson: Well, it was a surprising screenplay to be sent, to be honest. Then I I started reading. My first thought was, “Oh, good, she doesn’t say anything.” I love movies where you don’t have to say anything, because then you can just think stuff and the camera finds it. I love that. Then she suddenly said a lot and I thought, “Oh, God, I’m going to have to really learn how to speak Minnesotan if I do this.” I then for some reason or other, I read the story and I omitted somehow to process accurately in my brain, quite how much running around and action there was in the film. I just thought that the writing was so great. I said yes, and then I spent six months dreading it, thinking, “What have I done? Oh, no, I’m going to be in the cold for months. Why? Why did I do this? There are other things out there where I could be in an office or something.” But you know what? It was the most extraordinary life experience. Never mind professional one, because there we were on a frozen lake in the north of Finland, 60 kilometers away from the Russian border, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. It was insane, you know? It was just insane. It’s 10 feet of snow when you fall into it, which I did, frequently.

    Judy Greer stars in 'Dead of Winter'.
    Judy Greer stars in ‘Dead of Winter’.

    Judy Greer: My first reaction was that I wanted to be a part of it when I got the email, and it said Emma Thompson. So, I said I would do it. Then, when I read it, and I saw the role, I thought maybe it was sent to me by mistake because no one ever sends me roles like this. I was assured that it wasn’t. I probably cried a little if I’m being honest because I was so excited and so proud. Then I met with Brian Kirk, the director and I fell deeply in love with him. He’s about the nicest, funniest guy, but then he directs these movies that are so complicated and intense. So, I’m interested in that person, always, who’s telling these stories. Yeah, it was just a character I’d never been offered before with one of my idols.

    MF: Can you also both talk about filming in Finland and the challenges of shooting in those weather conditions?

    ET: Well, it was the same for everybody because the point is, where we were shooting was so remote that there’s no nice hotel just down the road and there’s no Winnebago, there’s no where you can go to have a nice hot chocolate or get your feet warm. You just had to endure it. So, the way I prepared for it was to just go a month early, put my costume on and live in it for a month in the cold, just go for walks, you know, snowshoeing, walking around, doing cross- country skiing, learning how to do that, and digging into the ice. I spent a month doing that and talking to Minnesotans in Minnesota. So, it was the combination of that landscape, that Finnish landscape, which is very similar to Minnesota, because it’s the same latitude. And learning from the Minnesotan women and men who were so generous with their time, about what that kind of weather’s really like and how you must behave. You know, for instance, how essential your gloves are. We spent a lot of time talking about gloves. There are three sets of gloves. She must wear gloves if she’s dealing with a metal thing, because if you put your hand on that cold metal, it will stick to the metal. It’s extraordinary. Meanwhile, we’re surrounded by all these huge Fins who are basically chain sawing into the ice and clawing out these huge pieces of ice with their bare hands. I mean, these people are crazy tough, you know?

    Judy Greer in 'Dead of Winter'. Photo: Vertical.
    Judy Greer in ‘Dead of Winter’. Photo: Vertical.

    JG: It was totally easy. It was totally not a challenge at all. You should interview the crew. Honestly, they are the real superheroes of this movie because of what they had to do. I am not being hyperbolic, it was Herculean. They were lugging all the film equipment on sleds up these snowy mountains to start the day and then down the snowy mountains to end the day. There were not a lot of bathrooms. There’s a lot of layers of clothing. We got to sit in warming tents. They never did. As soon as they would put out hot coffee, it would get cold. I mean, it was just never ending, but it was also so beautiful. I mean, the first time I walked on that frozen lake, I couldn’t believe it. You can see it in the movie, but that is what we saw every single day. It was stunning for miles and like so quiet and peaceful and beautiful. But then sometimes we’re all standing on this frozen lake, and you would hear these booming sounds. It was the ice breaking, and that’s kind of freaky to someone who lives in southern California, but all you must do is look at a Finnish person and see that they don’t even flinch. It’s like when there’s turbulence and the flight attendants are still talking to each other and laughing and stuff, and you’re like, “Okay, we’re fine”. Like if you’re standing on a frozen lake and there’s booming sounds coming from under the lake and the Finnish people are cool, then it’s cool. Then you know you’re okay.

    Emma Thompson in 'Dead of Winter'. Photo: Vertical.
    Emma Thompson in ‘Dead of Winter’. Photo: Vertical.

    MF: Emma, can you talk about the resilience of your character and why she takes action to protect this girl that she doesn’t even know?

    ET: I think that her resilience comes from having been brought up in the way that she’s been brought up. I mean, her moral gauge is extremely simple, humble, American, a straightforward life where she’s loved somebody very much and been loved very much. She’s had a very rich life from that point of view, with a lot of tragedy in it, but the normal tragedy, human tragedy, because all life contains loss and grief. She’s really does appreciate what she’s had, I think. She’s been formed by the landscape that she’s grown up in, and by the stories, one of which she tells this girl about her grandparents. Because I imagine her life was tough, but she’ll say, “Well, that was nothing compared to my grandmother. You know, she had to give birth under ice.” You know, you just don’t know what people had to go through. So, I think that was her. That was the important thing about her is that she couldn’t have left that child. No one, none of us would have left that child. I mean, those of us who’ve grown up in, you know, like where I grew up, would have died, obviously, in the attempt, just of cold. But Barb is of the landscape, she was born and brought up there. She knows what to do and she’s not only resilient, but she also has a great cunning to her as well. So, you can see that, she’s had a life where she’s not no fool.

    MF: Judy, can you talk about your approach to your character and how you were able to justify her actions and motivations in your own mind?

    JG: Well, I find that I do fall for every character I play. But I don’t often play characters that do things that I would never do. But I love finding a reason why they do it. This one, even though she seems kind of like a demon, it was easy because she’s just desperate to stay alive. When you think about it, we’re all desperate for something, you know? So, it’s not that hard to tap into that desperation. I mean, physically, it can be trying, with the feeling of being so desperate for this one thing. In this character’s case, it’s keeping herself alive. In every character I’ve played, it’s something different. So, in that sense, she’s a lot like everybody else, you know, she just goes about it and in not maybe a respectful way.

    Emma Thompson in 'Dead of Winter'. Photo: Vertical.
    Emma Thompson in ‘Dead of Winter’. Photo: Vertical.

    MF: Finally, Judy, what was Emma Thompson like to have as a scene partner on this film?

    JG: She’s perfect in every way. She exceeded my expectations as an artist and as a person. I knew I would love being on set with her. I knew she would inspire me and bring out the best in me. What I wasn’t sure about was what it would be like to hang out with her and be stuck in a northeastern Finnish town for a month. She’s just the coolest. She’s so fun and so funny. She’s so kind and so generous. She takes care of everyone around her. She’s never not caregiving. I just loved her. I feel like me as a person in my life is better from having spent two months with her on this movie. And I’m a better artist because of it too.

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    What was the plot of ‘Dead of Winter’?

    A widowed fisherwoman (Emma Thompson), travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl. Hours from the nearest town and with no phone service, she realizes that she is the young girl’s only hope.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Dead of Winter’?

    • Emma Thompson as Barb
    • Judy Greer as Purple Lady
    • Marc Menchaca as Camo Jacket
    • Laurel Marsden as Leah
    'Dead of Winter' opens in theaters on September 26th. Photo: Vertical.
    ‘Dead of Winter’ opens in theaters on September 26th. Photo: Vertical.

    List of Emma Thompson Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Dead of Winter’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Emma Thompson Movies On Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’

    Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Premiering on Peacock on February 13th, ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ marks the fourth outing for the ever-hopeful Bridget, brought to screens as always by Renée Zellweger.

    And thankfully, despite the worrying sign of it being sent directly to a streaming service here (it’s in theaters internationally), this is a superior entry in the franchise spawned from Helen Fielding’s columns, eventual books and first on our screens way back in 2001.

    Related Article: Renée Zellweger Returning as Bridget Jones for ‘Mad About the Boy’

    Should you make a date with ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    (L to R) Mila Jankovic as Mabel Darcy, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Casper Knopf as Billy Darcy in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Mila Jankovic as Mabel Darcy, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Casper Knopf as Billy Darcy in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.

    In the years since that original movie, there has been a healthy evolution for Bridget, and even more hearteningly, some of the people around her. This new offering might not start out as suitable for those who love their happy endings, as the shadow of grief hangs over Bridget, still mourning the loss of her perfect man, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and dealing with life as a single mother.

    Yet it’s all a spur for a new chapter in her life, as she decides to leave the mournful doldrums and get on with, well, living. Around her, plenty of other characters have similarly come to realizations about their lives, even the irrepressible cad Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) –– though he still has a twinkle in his eye.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Leo Woodall as Roxster in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Leo Woodall as Roxster in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.

    With a script from Bridget’s creator Fielding alongside British TV scriptwriting stalwarts Helen Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan, ‘Mad About the Boy’ manages to pull off the trick of both maintaining what we love about Bridget –– smart yet clumsy, hopeful yet soulful, silly and serious all at once –– while also growing the storyline around her.

    As a widower dangerously careening towards her fifties and trying to be the best mother she can be, it’s a proper new gear for both the character and Zellweger, and the movie makes the most of that.

    Yet the screenplay also doesn’t forget what makes these films so much fun, with moments for Bridget’s friends and colleagues that offering sterling support and plenty of laughs. Her main love interest is perhaps a little bland, but that’s no real issue as he’s mostly just a waypoint for the person you can tell she’s likely to end up with from the moment we meet them.

    Director Michael Morris, whose resume includes movies such as ‘To Leslie,’ has really earned his stripes on the small screen, handling episodes of shows including ‘Better Call Saul’ and ‘For All Mankind.’ And that experience proves invaluable, as he’s able to juggle multiple characters and the film looks cinematic, if relatively simple.

    It’s all in service of the story, though, and helped by some truly beautiful London locations.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Since bursting onto our screens all those years ago Renée Zellweger and her near-flawless British accent (never generic, always specific) as Bridget has weathered the highs (the original) and lows (the second and to some degree, third movies).

    Here, she’s given a take on the character she can really work with, and puts in a touching, charismatic performance, easily making Miss Jones –– or Mrs. Darcy as she is these days –– someone you both want to spend time with and root for.

    (L to R) Colin Firth as Mark Darcy and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Colin Firth as Mark Darcy and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Around her, Bridget’s friends and family remain excellent, whether indulging her latest concerns or trying to offer advice. They might only pop up in support, but they all feel like rounded humans at this point.

    And special mention must be made of Hugh Grant. Having famously skipped the third film because he didn’t like the script, he only agreed to return for this one if he got to change some of Daniel Cleaver’s scenes. Whatever he and the writing team worked out, it was all for the good, as the cheeky Daniel of old shines through while also coming across as being more self-aware of his own ridiculousness. His chemistry with Zellweger also remains on point.

    Less natural is Leo Woodall, who is fine as “Roxter,” the new younger man who enters Bridget’s life when she’s stuck up a tree. Woodall does what he can with the role, and he has some charm, but he’s more plot point that character.

    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Walliker and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment / Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Walliker and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment / Universal Pictures.

    The same fate might have befallen Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at Bridget’s kids’ school. But in the experienced actor’s calm hands, he’s both funny and relatable, and when the inevitable arrives you can see why she might fall for him.

    One person who comes off less well, if only by dint of her popping up in exactly one brief scene, Isla Fisher as a neighbor and stressed mother who we meet for seconds, threatening to dispatch her unruly kids off to “the squid games.” Was she in more of the movie, but saw her scenes sliced out in editing? We may never know for sure, but she still makes an impact in her one moment.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Sally Phillips as Shazzer, James Callis as Tom, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Shirley Henderson as Jude in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Sally Phillips as Shazzer, James Callis as Tom, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Shirley Henderson as Jude in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Like the character herself, the ‘Bridget Jones’ film series needed a bit of luck, and ‘Mad About the Boy’ brings it. It’s a deeper, richer, and more satisfying film than the other sequels and if this represents the last time we hang out with the character and her various associates, then it’s a fitting finale.

    As Bridget might write in her diary: V Good.

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    What’s the story of ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    In her latest film, Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark (Colin Firth) was killed on a humanitarian mission in the Sudan. She’s now a single mother to their kids, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

    Pressured by her Urban Family — Shazzer, Jude and Tom, her work colleague Miranda, her mother, and her gynecologist Dr. Rawlings (Emma Thompson) — to forge a new path toward life and love, Bridget goes back to work and even tries out the dating apps, where she’s soon pursued by a dreamy and enthusiastic younger man (Leo Woodall).

    Now juggling work, home and romance, Bridget grapples with the judgment of the perfect mums at school, worries about son Billy as he struggles with the absence of his father, and engages in a series of awkward interactions with her son’s rational-to-a-fault science teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

    Who also stars in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    Emma Thompson as Dr. Rawlings in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    Emma Thompson as Dr. Rawlings in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Movies in the ‘Bridget Jones’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Bridget Jones’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Hugh Jackman Starring in ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’

    (Left) Hugh Jackman attends 'The Adam Project' World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix. (Center Left) Emma Thompson in Prime Video's 'Late Night.' (Center Right) Hong Chau attends the 'The Night Agent' Los Angeles special screening at Netflix Tudum Theater on March 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Netflix. (Right) Nicholas Braun on season 4 of HBO's 'Succession.' Photograph by Macall B. Polay/HBO.
    (Left) Hugh Jackman attends ‘The Adam Project’ World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix. (Center Left) Emma Thompson in Prime Video’s ‘Late Night.’ (Center Right) Hong Chau attends the ‘The Night Agent’ Los Angeles special screening at Netflix Tudum Theater on March 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Netflix. (Right) Nicholas Braun on season 4 of HBO’s ‘Succession.’ Photograph by Macall B. Polay/HBO.

    Preview:

    • Hugh Jackson will play a farmer in ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’
    • Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun and more are also in the cast.
    • Animation veteran Kyle Balda is directing the live-action mystery comedy.

    Here’s an unusual project, which almost sounds more like a project for Britain’s Aardman Animation (given their success with ‘Shaun the Sheep’) but is in fact a new live-action comedy.

    Hugh Jackman is on board to lead the cast for new movie ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’ (we just checked the date to be sure, and it’s not April 1st), which will follow some ovine crime solvers raised on murder mysteries who have to figure out who killed their shepherd.

    Related Article: Next on Netflix Animation Preview Announces Upcoming Movies and TV Shows

    What’s the story of ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’?

    Aardman Animations' 'Shaun the Sheep'.
    Aardman Animations’ ‘Shaun the Sheep’. Photo: Netflix.

    The film follows George Hardy (Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit.

    When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The local cop Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.

    Who will be in the cast for ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’?

    Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Deadpool and Wolverine.
    Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool and Wolverine. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    Alongside Jackman and Braun, the cast is an eclectic mix of big names and rising actors including Emma Thompson, Nicholas Galitzine (‘The Idea of You’), Molly Gordon (‘Theater Camp’), Hong Chau (‘The Whale’), Tosin Cole (‘Bob Marley: One Love’), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (‘Wonka’), Conleth Hill (‘Game of Thrones’) and Mandeep Dhillon (‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’).

    Who is making ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’?

    2017's 'Despicable Me 3.'
    2017’s ‘Despicable Me 3.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Behind the camera for this one is Kyla Balda, who has largely spent his career in animation, and has directed the likes of ‘Minions’ and ‘Despicable Me 3’.

    The script comes from Craig Mazin, who these days is more known as the executive producer behind dark dramas ‘Chernobyl’ and ‘The Last of Us’, but before that wrote the comedic likes of the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise and ‘The Hangover’ movies.

    He’s adapting Leonie Swann’s novel, which was published in Germany in 2005 under its original title ‘Glennkill’. The book became an instant hit, leading the German bestseller charts for months and winning Swann the prestigious Glauser Prize for crime fiction in the debut category, as well as a PETA Award.

    When will ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’ be in theaters?

    Amazon MGM is backing the new movie, and has penciled in a February 20th, 2026 theatrical release for the new movie. If that changes, we will keep ewe… sorry, you, informed.

    Aardman Animations' 'Shaun the Sheep'.
    Aardman Animations’ ‘Shaun the Sheep’. Photo: Netflix.

    Other Movies from Aardman Animations:

    Buy Aardman Animations Movies On Amazon

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  • Renée Zellweger To Return for Fourth ‘Bridget Jones’ Movie

    Renée Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones's Diary.'
    Renée Zellweger in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Renée Zellweger will be back as Bridget Jones.
    • Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson are also returning.
    • The movie will adapt Helen Fielding’s third Bridget book.

    It has been nearly a decade since Helen Fielding’s character Bridget Jones was on our screens –– when last we saw the woman played by Renée Zellweger, she was happily married to Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy and had given birth to her first child.

    But though that seemingly wrapped Bridget’s story up in a bow, even before the movie landed, Fielding had plans for the future. ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’, the third book based on the author’s columns, arrived in 2013 and threw the character for a loop (see more on that below).

    Now, Universal and Working Title have set the tale up as the latest ‘Bridget Jones’ movie, with Zellweger locking down a deal to star.

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    What’s the story of ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    Renée Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones's Baby.'
    Renée Zellweger in ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Based on the third book in Fielding’s series, ‘Mad About the Boy’ picks up with Bridget in her early fifties, as she navigates the challenges of modern life while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood.

    Here, though is the big problem –– and it’s a SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn’t read the book –– ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ sees the title character as a single mother to two small children, after the tragic death of Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth in the other films). Bridget will emerge from her all-encompassing grief to have to figure out dating in a world that has moved on since she was last out there.

    Related Article: Director Eli Roth Talks ‘Thanksgiving’ Blu-ray and the Upcoming Sequel

    Who else is in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    Emma Thompson and Renée Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones's Baby.'
    (L to R) Emma Thompson and Renée Zellweger in ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Alongside Zellweger, Hugh Grant will return as the dashing Daniel Cleaver, who is likely a little less roguish now he’s an older man (but don’t hold your breath). And we’ll see more of Emma Thompson, who played Dr. Rawlings, Bridget’s OB/GYN in ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’. We have to assume that she’s still part of Bridget’s life.

    New to the story this time are Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall (the latter of which appeared in ‘The White Lotus’ and more recently, in ‘One Day’), but Deadline’s story on the casting makes no mention of who they’re playing.

    Who is making ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    Andrea Riseborough as Leslie in director Michael Morris' 'To Leslie.'
    Andrea Riseborough as Leslie in director Michael Morris’ ‘To Leslie.’

    Michael Morris, whose last film ‘To Leslie’ was the subject of some controversy over star Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar campaign, will direct. Morris also has experience from TV series such as ‘Better Call Saul’, ‘Extrapolations’ and ‘Bloodline’.

    No word on who is writing the script this time, though Thompson co-wrote the screenplay for the last movie.

    When will ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ be in theaters?

    Working Title and Universal have set a Valentine’s Day 2025 release date for the new movie.

    Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth in 'Bridget Jones's Diary.'
    (L to R) Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’:

    Buy ‘Bridget Jones’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Emma Thompson Starring in ‘The Fisherwoman’

    Emma Thompson as the Baroness in Disney’s live-action 'Cruella.'
    Emma Thompson as the Baroness in Disney’s live-action ‘Cruella.’ Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    For the last few years, we’ve watched the likes of Liam Neeson and Bob Odenkirk join the ranks of older actors getting into the action game already populated by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

    But even more recently, there has been Allison Janney, who kicked ass as a former CIA operative-turned-recluse in ‘Lou’.

    And further proof that we’re in for a shift is word that Emma Thompson entering the fray.

    Variety reports that Dame Emma is now aboard to star in a new action thriller called ‘The Fisherwoman’. She’ll play a widowed fisherwoman who, while trapped in a Minnesotan blizzard, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager and soon finds she is the young victim’s only hope.

    Brian Kirk is directing this one. A veteran of both TV and movies, he helped launch Idris Elba drama ‘Luther’ and has directed episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘Penny Dreadful’. On the movie side, he’s been behind the likes of ‘Middletown’ and Chadwick Boseman cop thriller ’21 Bridges’.

    The script comes from writers Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, who recently landed a deal to come up with a ‘Hot Wheels’ movie for J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot company and Warner Bros. They’re also working on alien invasion movie ‘The Fall’.

    Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack in 'Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.'
    (L to R) Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack in ‘Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.’ Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

    “Dame Emma Thompson is a phenomenally talented artist and the perfect incarnation of our film’s titular character,” says Jon Berg, president of production at Stampede Ventures, which is one of the companies backing the movie. “We couldn’t be more honored and excited to see her embody a character that shares her unique strength, grit and intelligence.”

    Thompson is also an executive producer on the movie, the rights to which will be offered up to buyers at the European Film Market, which happens later this month.

    It’s not exactly the sort of film that we expected Thompson to pick, though the multi-talented, award winning actor, writer and producer can do anything she likes. Just this year alone, she was seen in ‘Good Luck, Leo Grande’ and the ‘Matilda’ musical movie as the villainous Miss Trunchbull.

    Coming up, she has rom com ‘What’s Love Got to Do with it?’ (nothing to do with the Tina Turner biopic of the 1990s) and a variety of projects in development, including ‘Road Narrows’, and a new adaptation of ‘My Fair Lady’.

    And who hasn’t watched ‘Love Actually’ and imagined Thompson’s character wiping away her tears upon confirming her husband’s (played by Alan Rickman) infidelity and thrown him from a building as with Rickman’s ‘Die Hard’ villain?

    Emma Thompson as the Baroness and Andrew Leung as Jeffrey in Disney’s live-action 'Cruella.'
    (L to R) Emma Thompson as the Baroness and Andrew Leung as Jeffrey in Disney’s live-action ‘Cruella.’ Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Here’s Your First Look at Emma Stone as ‘Cruella’

    Here’s Your First Look at Emma Stone as ‘Cruella’

    Disney

    At the D23 Expo today, during a jam-packed panel about all of their upcoming film offerings, both animated and live-action, was confirmation that “Cruella” is on the horizon. In a pre-taped segment, Emma Stone, who plays the famous dog hater, confirmed that it’d be set in the 1970s and be “very punk rock.” (“I, Tonya” filmmaker Craig Gillespie is on board to direct.) Also confirmed: that Emma Thompson would be in the movie in an undisclosed role. And at the very end of the panel, they showed us what we’d all been waiting for … a photo of Stone as the iconic villainess.

    “Cruella” hits theaters May 28, 2021.

  • ‘Last Christmas’ Trailer: Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding Fall in Love to the Songs of George Michael

    Universal

    ‘Tis the season to fall in love!

    The first trailer for “Last Christmas” pairs up Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) and Henry Golding (“Crazy Rich Asians”) for a holiday romantic comedy from Paul Feig.

    Clarke plays Kate, a bundle of bad decisions who isn’t too happy with her job as an elf in a year-round Christmas store. Then, she runs into Tom (Golding), who seems too good to be true — handsome, funny, charitable, with the ability to see through Kate’s barriers.

    As London transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, Kate starts to realize she can turn her life around — you gotta have faith.

    Yes, as the title indicates, the movie is backed by a soundtrack filled with songs by the late George Michael, including that bittersweet holiday tune. The movie will also premiere new, unreleased material by the legendary Grammy-winning artist.

    “Last Christmas” also stars Emma Thompson and Michelle Yeoh, and opens in theaters November 8.

  • ‘Late Night’ Stars Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling Get Confessional with Ms. Moviefone

    ‘Late Night’ Stars Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling Get Confessional with Ms. Moviefone

    “Late Night” is a movie about the behind-the-scenes mechanics of a late night talkshow hosted by Emma Thompson and staffed by Mindy Kaling. But in the latest episode of The Ms. Moviefone Show, your premiere weekly entertainment show, they become the interviewees, with our own Grae Drake asking the questions. And things get pretty real.

    “Late Night” is out on June 7th everywhere!

  • ‘Late Night’ Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling Set for Early Access Screenings

    ‘Late Night’ Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling Set for Early Access Screenings

    Emma Thompson in Late Night
    Emily Aragones/Sundance Institute

    Get ready to make May 29 a “Late Night” out.

    The upcoming comedy starring Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling opens June 7, but you don’t have to wait till then to catch it in theaters. The film is set for early access screenings on May 29 at select theaters. Tickets for the screening are now available online. As an extra treat, Kaling is having a livestream Q&A following the screenings.

    “Late Night” is directed by Nisha Ganatra from a script written by Kaling. The film centers on a legendary talk show host named Katherine Newbury (Thompson) and a female writer she hires, Molly (Kaling). Although Katherine brought Molly on board as a token “diversity hire,” she finds that the younger woman helps revitalize her show as she worries about being replaced.

    Watch the trailer below.

    “Late Night” officially opens June 7, but if there’s an early access screening near you, you can catch it on May 29.

  • Emma Thompson Is a Controversial Politician in ‘Years & Years’ Trailer

    Emma Thompson Is a Controversial Politician in ‘Years & Years’ Trailer

    Year & Years trailer still
    HBO/YouTube

    The limited series “Years & Years” is headed to HBO, and the official trailer is here.

    The six-part miniseries stars Emma Thompson as a fiery politician, and she makes bold statements from the trailer’s start to its finish. Her first is the most inflammatory: She proposes that all British citizens should have to take an IQ test in order to vote. Meanwhile, the Lyons family watches on TV and reacts.

    The series is described as “an epic saga that takes an ordinary family and catapults them through the next 15 years. As society changes, faster than ever, the Lyons will experience everything we hope for in the future, and everything we fear. They’ll fall in and out of love, and grow old, fall apart and come back together, while constantly looking forward.”

    The trailer shows the family grappling with changes in the world around them.

    “Things were okay a few years ago,” one character says. “Now, I don’t know what to worry about first.”

    “I love it,” another character says later. “The whole system’s in pieces.”

    Watch below.

    “Years & Years” debuts June 24 on HBO.