Renée Zellweger says she's "ready, willing and able" to take on the role of Bridget Jones in the sequel The Edge of Reason.

It's reported she was persuaded by Colin Firth, her on-screen lover in the first film, who is expected to reprise his role as Mark Darcy.

The script may also have had a bearing as Andrew Davies, who is writing the screenplay with Richard Curtis has promised a more streamlined Bridget.

"The script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail for drug-smuggling, which means she actually has to lose weight," he said.

According to The Times Zellweger had to fatten up by nearly 20lb for the original role and last year hinted she may not actually do a sequel. "There is no way I am going to put all that weight on again."

But now she says she'll be starring in The Edge of Reason: "I'm ready, willing and able; Bridget's a character I really identify with. I'll put the weight back on with pleasure."

The Edge of Reason is expected to be released in the summer of 2004.

Source: Press Release