Leo Woodall, star of the upcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About a Boy, has defended the films central relationship that features a significant age gap.
The fourth instalment of the beloved franchise features a romance between the 28-year-old actor’s character, Roxster, and the 51-year-old Bridget Jones played by Rene Zellweger.
The new film follows Bridget as she navigates life as a widow and single mother following the death of Mark Darcy.
Hugh Grant returns as Daniel Cleaver, alongside original cast members Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, Gemma Jones and Celia Imrie.
However, the titular hero will see herself stuck in a new love triangle between Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, 47.
The new Bridget Jones movie has sparked debate for featuring an age-gap relationship
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“When two people find the connection, why shouldn’t they see where it goes without judgment?” Woodall told Stellar Magazine.
“Both dynamics should be equally normalised. It’s a good thing that we’re getting the reverse. Because it’s not uncommon – it’s just not portrayed much in movies,” the 28-year-old added.
His comments are reminiscent of similar remarks he made while speaking to Variety with his co-stars.
“It’s a real relationship that happens a lot… we’re just not used to seeing it on screen,” Woodall explained.
Woodall has defended his character’s relationship with the older Zellweger’s
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The star emphasised the importance of “getting people used to it” through representation in film.
Zellweger also made a similar case, calling age gap relationships “nothing new.”
She also celebrated “social taboos are melting away,” and added that was “never a bad thing.”
The Oscar-winning actress questioned why such relationships should be scrutinised at all.
“There’s certain things that we probably don’t need to have opinions about, and where people find love… why would that ever be a problem?” she said.
Zellweger isn’t the only female lead with a younger love interest, with several Hollywood greats taking on similar roles recently.
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Bridget Jones ins’t the only Hollywood film exploring age gap relationships
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Nicole Kidman starred in “Babygirl” as a 50-something involved with a younger male intern, for which she won Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
Anne Hathaway also recently featured in “The Idea of You”, playing a 40-year-old divorced mother who begins dating a younger boy band member.