UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 1, 2004 - In response to highly enthusiastic reactions from press and exhibitors at early screenings, Universal Pictures will release Working Title Films' "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, in approximately 500 theaters nationwide on Friday, November 12. Based on Helen Fielding's bestseller that continues the trials and tribulations of the symbolic heroine of 'singletons' everywhere, the film, previously scheduled to debut November 19, will instead expand to 2500 theaters on that date.

Said Nikki Rocco, president, distribution, Universal Pictures, "There is a whole legion of rabid Bridget fans out there from the first film who cannot wait for this second installment. After the tremendous response to our early press and word-of-mouth screenings -- as well as from exhibitors who saw the film last week at ShowEast -- we looked at the competitive landscape and realized that we had the goods for our target audience and the flexibility to deliver the film to eager moviegoers in selected markets one week earlier. This will give us a jumpstart on the holiday business."

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" stars Oscar(R) winner Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all reprising the roles they originated in Bridget Jones's Diary. In this follow-up to the worldwide hit, we find Bridget where we left her -- blissful and besotted in the arms of gorgeous lawyer Mark Darcy (Firth). Mark is accomplished, supportive and tolerant of (nearly) all of Bridget's tiny jealousies -- why wouldn't every woman in London, including Mark's new long-legged, drop-dead, "I-always-say-the-right-thing-at-all-times" intern, want to lure him away from the plumpish, opinionated, sometimes inappropriate Bridget?

With the entry of the leggy threat, Bridget's pink clouds begin to turn gray as her attacks of self-doubt sorely test her relationship with Darcy. And just when it seems that the waters couldn't get any more choppy, Bridget's former boss, womanizing heartthrob Daniel Cleaver (Grant), sails into view.

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" provides a hilarious and touching look at the answer to the question, "What happens after the happy ending?"

Universal Pictures and StudioCanal and Miramax Films present A Working Title Production: Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," starring Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones. The film, based on author Helen Fielding's best-selling novel, is directed by Beeban Kidron from a screenplay written by Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, Richard Curtis and Adam Brooks. It is produced by Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and Jonathan Cavendish; it also stars Jacinda Barrett, Shirley Henderson, Sally Phillips, James Callis, Jessica Stephenson, Celia Imrie and Neil Pearson. Debra Hayward and Liza Chasin serve as executive producers.