Renee Zellweger has been cast as thirtysomething singleton Bridget Jones in Working Title's adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel Bridget Jones' Diary.

Sharon Mcguire is directing the film from a script by Fielding, Richard Curtis and Andrew Davies. Producers are Jonathan Cavendish and Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

Zellweger, who is working with a dialogue coach to play the role with an English accent, will next be seen with Jim Carrey in Me, Myself & Irene.