Grrreat News..thanks AnnR. and Mari. After the interview piece on the Working Title guys in yesterday's Telegraph it was a given for HG to be in it...they are thick friends. (Moon)I will be in London in July!!! Allison, Ann, Tracy, Jana, how about lunch or tea in Notting Hill? Mari, Karen and I know Bridget's neighborhood well and can recommend "192" for lunch....:-)

Ohmygosh! I can't believe it's finally true! I think it's great news. For once ODB gets to play the romantic hero--not the cad, cuckold, baddie or nephew of dubious sexual inclination. AND in a film that we can expect to see in our local cineplex. We will not have to drive across three states to a remote art house, fly across the state of Texas, or assemble tour groups to other continents (as much fun as all these things may be). I must be dreaming. Someone please pinch me.

Yah Hoo!! Thank you AnneR and Mari. I am delighted. Who wants to party? :-D

LOL! Gi It is great news, the more I think about it, the better it gets...and I genuinely like the Hugh Grant casting. It will be marvellous to see Mr Darcy on the Big Screen. And he'll get to smile and kiss the girl!

Thank you ladies for this good news. I don't care what happens at work today - I am in a good mood.

Like Gi says "Let's Party!!" I think this calls for a Drool Celebration ..in honor of.... "A movie that won't be relegated to an art house"...(pl. God!) C'mon...we deserve it...we've moped around for weeks... Board Host, Laura....waddaya say?

YEAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still think HG is an inspired choice for DC!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told you that CF would play MD!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Now all I have to do is see High Fidelity, then BJD and I'm golden for the rest of the year!!!!!! Oh yah, YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold the Bubbly..... ...Just thinkin'.....maybe we should wait til it's officially announced by the gods of Working Title before we have a party, uh?

Darn, Evelyn, I just started partying! Pizza and Guinness, it doesn't get better than that!!! (and it's OSCAR NIGHT!!! waiting to see if Annette Bening pops tonight;))

**Hee hee hee**Titter titter titter**chuckle chuckle**Guffaw**Whoop! Whoop!**Snicker snicker**Heh heh heh Heheheheh** **Whew!** That's better! (Sorry about that ... I'm OK, I'm done now!) And bless HG. At least he doesn't hold up everybody by taking forever to make up his mind! 8-D KJ

Wow. Regardless of whatever anyone may think of HG, this is surely promising to be really something. Those two playing off against each other's foil... Sit back and wait. Impatiently. Wow.

I haven't read the BJD book in a year, but have just finished Edge of Reason and loved it - mainly because I get to picture CF as MD in some pretty intimate scenes. The first time you see Mark D in BJD, as I recall, is in front of a bookcase at his parent's home wearing a pretty terrible sweater. What fun all we "in the knows" will have seeing him play Darcy haughtily observing the crowd. GREAT news! But Evelyn, you are right, let's wait for official word before going crazy. Murph

This week the film's producers are expected to announce ... Yeh, it's that "are expected to announce" that makes me a little nervous. Please! no last minute glitches! (Karen) I wonder if this will work in Colin's favor. ;-) \...\ (Heide) I've been saying this for months; no, at this point it's years. But of course I hope I'm wrong. ;-) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy ... and knowing ODB, he will set about creating an entirely different individual, with only echos of his predecessor to make a point of the "in-joke". He is very good at making things work in his favor. As for comparisons, no one can prevent people who are walking into the theatre expecting to see "Mr. (F.) Darcy", and being disappointed, from pointing out their unhappiness by same. But it is their own expectations that disappoint, not ODB, who will be doing his job (with relish, I daresay)(catsup and mustard too, if he pleases! *Hee hee*) 8-D

(KJ) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy Never thought this was case, but won't bother trying to explain what I meant. Who cares! Too happy that this is finally going to be be done. Have put up the Bucket page for BJD: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html Let's definitely do the party as soon as the official word is sent out. :-)

Karen, beautiful page for BJD! I'm holding my breath and hoping the Working Title guys give the official word soon. Hmmmm, starting to turn blue here....

This si really exciting news! The more I think about it the better it seems. Surely it must be true? The only problem is we are going away to Canada for almost two weeks and so I will miss any news. Keep it all for me, won't you? Will try and buy British newspapers but may not have much luck....

Karen: As I said at 129, a terrific page! I just love the look of it. Murph

Great job, Karen! Now we will have to speculate on the rest of the cast. ;-)

(Moon) Now we will have to speculate on the rest of the cast. ;-) Same as we've been doing for about 2 years. ;-) Thank you all. *blushing*

(Evelyn) Just thinkin'.....maybe we should wait til it's officially announced by the gods of Working Title before we have a party, uh? Aha--a voice of reason. If the story is true, I would think it would be reported in various places (that's what happened when Zellweger's casting was announced). Ann, Bethan, Allison, et.al, we're counting on your sharp eyes. If it is true--sorry to rain on the parade, but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. (KJArt) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy ... and knowing ODB, he will set about creating an entirely different individual, with only echos of his predecessor to make a point of the "in-joke". I know we've talked about this before and I still disagree (unless the screenplay differs significantly from the book, which it certainly might). To me, MD is an updated FD--but my own NSHO doesn't matter. What does matter is the hype. I don't think the role is big enough for CF to create an entirely different character. Having said all that, I never could see anybody else in the MD role. I read both BJD and EOR with the mental image of CF as MD. I hope that the screenplay takes the Darcy character to a different level (it must be a good script if CF agreed to take the role) so the British press doesn't permenently stamp the Darcy label on CF's forehead at the expense of his other work.

Good points Eillen, I to have my resevations buth there is just no one else who could play MD.

(too) or who I would want to watch playing Mark Darcy, sorry Eileen of course, my fingers are all over the place thinking of Mark Darcy clad only in a towel!!

Good points Eillen, I to have my resevations buth there is just no one else who could play MD.

(Ann) thinking of Mark Darcy clad only in a towel!! Happy thought, indeed; sadly, that's from the second book. One can daydream, though. That was such a funny scene, wasn't it? "Sinjun"

The debut of the "BJD Page on the Bucket"..... First Wave of the party... ~~~~~~ (Eileen)but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. Mr. Darcy will always be his tour d'force. Up to now he's done nothing better. By taking this role IMO he has come to that realization and is willing to "deal with it". That's known as "growing -up";-)

That's known as "growing -up";-) No kidding? ;-P

Great BJD page, Karen! Can't wait to see this expand as more details emerge. Wonder if the contracts the principal stars sign will include a commitment to do the sequel. Seems like that's usually the case. If so, more cause for celebration!:-)

(SusanMC)Wonder if the contracts the principal stars sign will include a commitment to do the sequel. Happy thought indeed!

Mr. Darcy will always be his tour d'force. Up to now he's done nothing better. Surely Tumbledown was his best piece overall.

Surely Tumbledown was his best piece overall. Agree. I mean't the role that brought him the most public attention world-wide.

(KJ) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy (Karen) Never thought this was case, but won't bother trying to explain what I meant. Me too and I wasn't going to bother explaining either. But then Eileen did it for me... ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. It's the critics who can't say Colin Firth without saying Mr. Darcy in the same breath. And I don't want them to see this as Colin trying to regain some fleeting fame because his post Darcy career has not lived up to their expectations. (Evelyn) By taking this role IMO he has come to that realization and is willing to "deal with it". That's known as "growing -up";-) We know he can deal with it and I applaud him for having the wonderful sense of humor to take on this role. I just hope that everyone else can see why he's doing it...if he indeed is. ;-) No matter how we belittle the critics, they are important. These are only my reservations about this role and of course only MHO. I'm still very happy that he'll be in such a visible project. (Arami) Regardless of whatever anyone may think of HG, this is surely promising to be really something. Those two playing off against each other's foil... What will really be interesting is what angle the publicity will take. Will this be a Zellweger/Grant focus or will they play on the Darcy/Darcy image? You're right, girls, just the fact that HG is in it (we think) really creates a buzz about this film.

From the World News Network: Story Filed: Sunday, March 19, 2000 8:13 PM EST (MAR. 19) WENN - FIFTH - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC NEWS - FASCINATING FACT: HUGH GRANT is the new favourite to play BRIDGET JONES' other half in the forthcoming movie BRIDGET JONES' DIARY. COLIN FIRTH was believed to have already landed the role of MARK DARCY but insiders reckon Firth will now play one of Jones' pals. ******************************** This was posted at the Firth list. Note that the date is earlier than the Observer story, so maybe the facts were confirmed after this was written. One of the worst things, IMO, would be for Hugh to play Darcy and Colin to stand next to him playing someone else. -- like Tom! Murph

Ladies please! Colin is MD and HG is Daniel. Why would HG want a role that was written for another? In the UK everyone knows Colin is Mr. Darcy and that is that.

I would be very disappointed if Colin played *any* other character in BJD, except the one that was written for him. I don't think I could deal with the indignity.

COLIN FIRTH was believed to have already landed the role of MARK DARCY but insiders reckon Firth will now play one of Jones' pals. Oh f*** what a mess! Almost dropped my coffee cup on the keyboard when I read this. It simply cannot be true, it would be nothing else but idiotic. But if it is true I swear I won�t watch that movie, I won�t touch it with a stick.....and to think of it, why would Colin ever accept a role as one of Jone�s pals, (probably the gay one?!?) when there is a great role written for him in the book? He would be crazy to do anything else in BJD but Mark Darcy.

March 19? Isn't this the same piece which had you ladies ready to jump out windows the weekend before last? There's something very familiar about that last line. Regardless, I was hoping for more articles to back up the Observer story...otherwise I'm not convinced it's true.

This is a re-cycled version of the tabloid Sunday Mail "report". They get everything wrong. The Telegraph and Observer are quality papers. Yahoo has indexed the Observer news. The BJD production office told me last Tuesday that news of casting would be out in about 2 weeks. This weekend perhaps?

Sorry...Sunday Mirror....even more tabloid.

(Eileen) Isn't this the same piece which had you ladies ready to jump out windows the weekend before last? There's something very familiar about that last line. Yes it is...You'd think because it raised such a brouhaha then, that they would remember it. It was posted by Marianne late Saturday, giving everyone nightmares, but Murph came to our rescue Sunday (the 19th) with the Hugh is considering Daniel but only 50-50 about it article from the Telegraph. A week later (the 25th) Mari posted the article confirming the CF/HG casting, after which we proceeded to dissect the pros and cons of their working together. Ah, how soon we forget.

Yes, that Mirror thing was before The Observer story, and old hat. I'm sorry I reposted something that was obviously wrong. I'm glad to read the Observer article was indexed by Yahoo. I have good feelings. Let's do some Ommmmmmmms for this weekend. Murph

What is the World coming to, you go away for a few days out of the eyeshot of these wonderful pages and everything is all in a tizzy (to use a quaint English phrase). Murph - will certainly be Ommmmming with great gusto!

Yea! Another mention of CF as Mark Darcy -- and on a very well respected film site: http://www.upcomingmovies.com/bridgetjonesdiary.html Murph

Don't get too excited, I'm afraid. Actually, *I* gave them the link to www.filmsunlimited.com. So, this is not confirmation. The BJD page was up, but there was really erroneous info. about RZ, and how she'd have to wear a lot of makeup and padding for the gaining 70 lbs. thing. I tried to give a gentle nudge in the right direction there, and he did correct it. Also, the male leads info. was not there until I provided the link (which was graciously provided on RoP). I just wish we'd get some further confirmation, from an entirely different source!

OH darn! I thought it was new. Sorry all. Murph

How funny! :-) What goes around, comes around. Hi Meredith, I see you figured it out. Welcome.

Haven't done one of these for a while and it's new: Meredith

(Meredith) The BJD page was up, but there was really erroneous info. about RZ, and how she'd have to wear a lot of makeup and padding for the gaining 70 lbs. thing. Oh how funny. Poor Bridget imagines herself to be overweight and immediately a man shoots her weight up an extra 70 pounds. Meredith. Why don't you stay awhile?

Whoops! That was supposed to be - H-E-O

Ew Yuck...Remind me never to use yellow again. Back to Bridget...

Hi Meredith...good to have you on board. Cute new welcome pics ...thank you Drool hosts:-)

Welcome, Meredith! Enjoy yourself here. I like the new welcome graphics, too; makes we want to leave and come back.;-)

Ooops, should be makes *me* . . .

Cute one, Heide. :-) I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Said his source was Carrie's page.

The Guardian has again mentioned Hugh in BJD in Friday's paper in an article I've posted in its entirety on 127. Here's the relevant last paragraph: It takes an Oscar ceremony to bring out our natural sense of superiority, to polish up our sense of ourselves as the plucky little heroes holding out for standards in the face of insurmountable vulgarisation and rot. But it's never far from the surface. As I recall, the last really good cause for a bit of a What Have the Americans Done for Us (other than ruin our culture with their mocha-choca latte outlets) was the news that American actress Renee Zellwegger had been chosen to play our Bridget Jones! In our Notting Hill! With our Hugh Grant! Don't you just love being so much better than everyone else? ~~~~~~~ Actually, you can have "your" Hugh Grant. ;-p

(Karen)I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Poor guy must have had a full mailbox . Gosh! Thanks for such a warm welcome. Quite unexpected and enjoyable! I feel v. welcome! I have to admit, I'm struggling here with trying to find where to "login" and just get the "new" Drool stuff, but I'll figure it out. So...Any CF news this AM. I may expire from the anticipation...

So...Any CF news this AM. I may expire from the anticipation... LOL! That is always our sentiment. Welcome Meredith!

If you haven't already, bookmark this page, Meredith: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new From there you can see just the topics that have had new responses since you last logged on. Of course for you and other new people, almost everything will show up as new. If you want to explore a topic but don't want to load the whole thing, look and see how many responses are in a topic and then change the address above to (eg) Topic 98 has over 1600 postings right now but if you only want to look at the last 100 or so, type in http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1500 and you can do the same for any topic - just change your last #s to the topic.response # you want to go back to. Is that convoluted enough? Can only assume the article you quoted above, Karen, contained that famous Brit irony Americans can't understand. ;-)

Heide-Thanks so much for the tips. I'm getting there...

...other than ruin our culture with their mocha-choca latte outlets) So, they don't have to go to Starbuck's...why don't they open up Tea Shops;-) I like tea more,anyway

(Heide) Can only assume the article you quoted above, Karen, contained that famous Brit irony Americans can't understand. ;-) That must be it. ;-) Welcome Meredith, with a big thanks for nipping that bit of misinformation in the bud. (Karen) I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Said his source was Carrie's page. Oh, dear. Isn't that a fan page? Where did she get her information? Sounds like it's a game of telephone or whispering down the wind..."he said that she said that..."

Welcome Meredith, and yes, thanks a bunch for setting me straight. It is kind of scary when you find out that film web sites are getting their information from fan sites. I always try to keep mine as truthful as possible, and quote the source. On the other hand, if I hadn't read your post, I would still think Greg's news was new. Hard to keep on top of what is close to official word and what is not. Back to those OHMMMMMMMMs again. Murph

HI EVERYONE!!! I'm writing this from EasyEverything, an Internet cafe in London (on High St. Kensington). Can you believe I get 60 mins. online for only �1? This is, quite possibly, the only good deal I've gotten so far since arriving into town three days ago. Am staying in Holland Park, a short walk away from BJLand! I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning, as am determined to find rare-but-affordable wedding presents for some friends of mine getting married in the summer. The weather is cold, but no matter, I'm having a great time. Welcome to the boards, Meredith! Kick back and make yerself comfy.

Hi Winter, Glad you are enjoying your time in the UK, I think the weather should improve this weekend!! (famous last words) and welcome Meredith, I'm afraid there wasn't anything in the Baz Column today, he is away in LA, having covered the Oscars, no doubt.

(Murph) It is kind of scary when you find out that film web sites are getting their information from fan sites Well, everyone's anxious for the scoop. Yet if a film site's info ('well respected' or not) isn't sourced, that should probably be noted (IMO). Speaking of scoops, I'm going away for a few days and we all know what happens when I'm away: big CF news. OK, there wasn't the last time I was away, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad... Winter, I have it on good authority those little oil burners make great gifts. You can even test it first to see if it takes in milk!

his source was Carrie's page. Oh, dear. Isn't that a fan page? Where did she get her information? Sounds like it's a game of telephone or whispering down the wind..."he said that she said that..." Sadly, it is difficult - if not impossible - to know which media or sites are a reliable source of information. That's why it is important to know and always attribute one's sources: that way it may be easier to trace errors.

Murph--please don't thank me. I just didn't want us all to get "overwrought" as we are like to do :-) (We do not wish to exite our anticipation.) To all--I can't thank you enough (again) for the warm welcome. I feel so special, but I fear it will turn my head! To think, I had not even watched P&P2, or read any JA until 2/99. The rest, as they say, is history. What a wasted life until then!

The following blurb was in The Telegraph on Saturday (4/1/00): Phew! Hugh Handsome Hugh Grant has graciously agreed to appear in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary. "They've been pestering me about it for It's all agreed, though I haven't signed anything."

It's quite amazing how he's agreed, but didn't say what role! Though we DO KNOW that he'll be Tom;) (j/k) Daniel Cleaver;)

In the Express it's said he will play "the cad".

From Empire: Grant Talks Up Bridget Jones 03/04/2000 Following the cheesy romcom antics of Four Weddings and a Funeraland Notting Hill, it appears that Hugh Grant is trying to shed his soppy, soft-centred image to play more hard-edged roles. The actor told the Express that he is eyeing up a role in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones�s Diary, the screen adaptation of Helen Fielding�s bestselling novel which follows a thitysomething publishing exec on her quest for a new man. �Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book,� explained Grant at a recent party in London, hinting that he may be pursuing the role of ne�er-do-well Daniel Cleaver: �If I do it, I�ll definitely play the cad.� ~~~~~~~ "Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book" Hmm, we know what that means. ;-) ne�er-do-well Daniel Cleaver Is that how they view him? Sheesh, not the term I would use.

Surely the rewrite wouldn't mean Daniel getting the girl instead of Mark Darcy! Please tell me I'm being silly, please ;-)

Thanks, Karen, for the BJD/Grant news. If it is OK with you, I have added it to my news page - credit for finding it there too! Murph

Of course, Empire was just repeating what a tabloid (the Express) had printed. (Cathey) Please tell me I'm being silly, please ;-) OK, you're being silly. ;-) Naw, a cad is a cad is a cad. BTW, what island was Curtis going to? Bali? Go check it out, Cathey.

"Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book" Ew. Undoubtedly, Daniel's role will be beefed up considerably for this screen version of Four Notting Hill Funerals.:-( Hughie doesn't do supporting roles, and if as he's said they've been chasing him to do this, you'd better believe they'll make it worth his while, role-wise. Plus he's the Working Title poster boy, can't argue with success and all that. Yeah, this will be 'amazing' alright.:-( Cathey, better to be silly than to be hopelessly paranoid like me.;-) Of course, if they beef up Mark's role also, then I'll think it's brilliant.;-)

As the tabloid makes its way into the more respected arms of the media, here's the how the Press Association wrote the same: Hugh Grant aims to play it tough Hugh Grant could be trying to shed his soppy Englishman image to play more hard-edged roles, it is reported. [notice source unnamed] The star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill says he is eyeing up a role in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones's Diary, the screen adaptation of Helen Fielding's bestselling novel which follows a thitysomething publishing executive on her quest for a new man. The Empire website reports Grant as saying: "Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book. If I do it, I'll definitely play the cad." ~~~~~ LOL! They can report what's being reported on by Empire, even though Empire got it from The Express. Richard Curtis' rewrite now has Richard Finch's character played by Simon Callow. ;-)

Just caught a glimpse of HG on the TV News....he has longish hair at the moment, rather greasy looking, down over the collar (okay, I'm biased!) But it's all down to the power of celebrity. HG is a celebrity, Colin ain't. (Hughie was attending the first night of "The Graduate" with Kathleen Turner, which has received massive publicity and sold out since she appeared naked on stage at the preview. Why exactly the British public are so excited at this prospect, beats me!) The papers have also been full of the "news" that Liz Hurley visited a Sex Shop and made several purchases! Again, all idle tittle tattle, but the end product is that HG continues to be news, and papers will focus on him rather than the very private and discrete CF. BTW what has happened to Andrew Davies' screenplay? He's been writing original and adapted screenplays for over 20 years now, and has the reputation for turning in the perfect scripts, not a comma out of place. Why the massive re-write? Why bring in Richard Curtis? BJD was a hugely successful and funny book, inspired by Pride and Prejudice, book and TV series. It doesn't need a Notting Hill makeover!!

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Apparently, we are back in business!! Yeah!! From today's Hollywood Reporter (am reposting what's on Springfolks): Grant making entry in 'Diary' Hugh Grant is in negotiations to join Renee Zellweger in Working Title Films' "Bridget Jones' Diary" for Universal Pictures and Miramax Films. The project is slated to start shooting May 1 in London, with Sharon Maguire directing. The project reteams Grant with "Notting Hill" screenwriter Richard Curtis and Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. (Also taking screenwriting credit are Helen Fielding and Andrew Davies.) Grant first teamed with Curtis and Working Title on the 1994 hit comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral" for now-defunct PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Another male lead is yet to be cast for "Diary," the adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a thirtysomething single woman living in London. Curtis penned the script for "Diary." Universal and Miramax have partnered on "Diary," with Miramax handling domestic distribution and Universal distributing internationally. Universal and Miramax are also splitting rights on Working Title's "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" starring Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz, with Miramax taking foreign and Universal domestic. For "Diary," Canal Plus will handle some international territories under its 50/50 co-financing deal with Working Title and Universal. Grant most recently starred opposite Jeanne Tripplehorn in the comedy-romance "Mickey Blue Eyes" for Castle Rock and Warner Bros. and recently wrapped work on Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks." He is repped by CAA. ["another lead" who shall forever be nameless.] Same bit picked up by Teletext: Hugh Grant to be in Bridget Jones movie Hugh Grant is expected to join the cast of the Bridget Jones movie opposite Texan actress Renee Zellweger in the eponymous role. If he signs up he'll be teaming up again with Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis. The two men also worked together on Four Weddings and a Funeral. Original author Helen Fielding has opted out of the project in protest at the casting of Zellweger. [Can't believe they tacked on that last thing again!]

(KarenR)Another male lead is yet to be cast for "Diary,"(...) ["another lead" who shall forever be nameless.] Arrrgh! >-(

Another male lead is yet to be cast for "Diary," Oh, for God's sake, that really is the ******** limit. It's a Hugh Grant movie, he's the co-star ("opposite" RZ), This is a small �5million movie and it should be Colin's. HG has got the lead in "About a boy". Why does he need this?????

has yet to be cast So they're still thinking about who should play Mark Darcy? Why hasn't Colin signed?

Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of playing second fiddle to HG, either. Perhaps he doesn't like the new script, he only has two lines!! perhaps. If the part isn't right for him I hope he doesn't do it, sorry everyone.

(AnnW) If the part isn't right for him It is him. ;-) Let's not get nuts here. This just shows the differences in style between HG and CF. One craves publicity (and evidently so does his partner, parading around in sex shops on Hollywood Blvd.) and the other does his utmost to quash it.

Why hasn't Colin signed? Because he probably heard about HFs boycot of RZ and is really thinking it over??? GROW UP COLIN!!! SIGN THE BLOODY PAPERS!!! I agree Karen, the part is him and the role was created for him. Everyone knows that including the script wrtiters and the film company. I repeat that the kind of publicity this movie will get because it also stars HG is only the very best news for Colin. He will be noticed in a big way. Please note that the article stated the other male lead role. Sorry AnnW, but he must do this.

IMO this is a publicity ploy from Working Title...who wants to trickle the stuff out drip by drip....He'll sign, he's no dummy.

Perhaps we should not discuss this at all anymore until there's definite news? Or is this worse? Everytime I get to this topic my heart rate soars ;-/

(Gi) Perhaps we should not discuss this at all anymore until there's definite news? Or is this worse? Everytime I get to this topic my heart rate soars ;-/ I know how you feel, Gi. It's like passing the scene of an accident: you know you're supposed to remain oblivious and keep moving, but you just can't stop yourself from looking!;-)

(Mari)I know how you feel, Gi. It's like passing the scene of an accident: you know you're supposed to remain oblivious and keep moving, but you just can't stop yourself from looking!;-) Hummmm... I wonder was that what I meant? %P

More from the gag me department (thanks to Rai for spotting): Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd. Daily Record April 7, 2000, Friday HEADLINE: OTR..OFF THE RECORD: DATE WITH BRIDGET FOR HUGH BODY: MOVIE heart-throb Hugh Grant is to star in the big-screen version of bestseller Bridget Jones's Diary. Hugh will appear alongside US actress Renee Zellweger in the film. Renee, girlfriend of funnyman Jim Carrey, will play the book's heroine - thirty-something publishing company employee Bridget who is desperate to find love and success. Hugh will play the object of her desire - handsome company executive Daniel Cleaver. The film will see Hugh teaming up again with screen-writer Richard Curtis, who penned his previous hits Notting Hill and the 1994 smash-hit Four Weddings and a Funeral. A film insider said yesterday: "Hugh is the ideal actor for the role and he's hoping the movie will be as successful as Four Weddings and Notting Hill." Fans of the critically-acclaimed Helen Fielding book hit the roof when American Renee was cast in the title role. They claimed the part should have gone to a British actress. But the insider said: "They'll be pleased Hugh's got a role in the film." The movie is scheduled to start shooting on location in London on May 1.

Hugh will play the object of her desire - handsome company executive Daniel Cleaver. I'm gritting my teeth and saying nothing!!!! A film insider said yesterday: "Hugh is the ideal actor for the role and he's hoping the movie will be as successful as Four Weddings and Notting Hill." This is the (only?) good thing about the HG/Working Title/Richard Curtis connection. BJD will be promoted as a follow up to two worldwide smashes and should draw in the multiplex crowd...which actually considerably outnumbers the readers of the book. "Notting Hill" took �10 million in its first weekend in the UK. And Mark Darcy can't be a cameo role. There has to be some dramatic balance.

Hugh will play the object of her desire Technically, it's not untrue. Daniel is that for over half the book. ...but my overall reaction is bleech (Bethan) And Mark Darcy can't be a cameo role. Calm down, Bethan. Most of the other articles referred to him as the other "male lead" - far from a cameo and certainly not a supporting role.

Can I say something? I know that the idea of Mark Darcy going to anyone other than Colin Firth is basically sacrileg; HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, "if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!" (of course in a cackle-type of laugh, possibly studying for the role of the Warlock in the new updated "Wizard of Oz"...) So where am I going with this? I am confident that Colin Firth will play Mark Darcy. I am not panicking, I LOVE the idea of Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. Heck, we'll have dual bday parties for them come Sept.! Just calm down, the news will come out soon. Have faith, please. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Can I say something? I know that the idea of Mark Darcy going to anyone other than Colin Firth is basically sacrileg; HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, "if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!" (of course in a cackle-type of laugh, possibly studying for the role of the Warlock in the new updated "Wizard of Oz"...) So where am I going with this? I am confident that Colin Firth will play Mark Darcy. I am not panicking, I LOVE the idea of Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. Heck, we'll have dual bday parties for them come Sept.! Just calm down, the news will come out soon. Have faith, please. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, "if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!" Evil, evil, man! ;-))

(Mari) Evil, evil, man! ;-)) Who ever said he was sweet??? HEE HEE:) My mantra is, if you want to know what my mantra is: COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY ANYONE ELSE CANNOT BE MARK DARCY I WILL KILL ANYONE ELSE WHO IS MARK DARCY. You'd be surprised how that works;)

Sorry, Moon:(

Very long article in The Observer, mentions BJD, DQ, and RV: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/life/story/0,3879,157249,00.html