Renee Zellweger cast in psychological thriller Phantom Son

Renee Zellweger is to star in the psychological thriller Phantom Son.

The 56-year-old actress has boarded the cast of the movie that is being directed by Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts filmmaker David Yates.

The movie has an original screenplay by Ian Scott McCullough and is being financed by AGC Studios – who are launching sales on the flick ahead of the American Film Market next week.

Phantom Son follows Ronnie, a young runaway struggling to survive on the street who is taken in by Audrey (Zellweger) – a lonely woman whose own son was kidnapped 20 years ago.

As Audrey becomes convinced that Ronnie is actually her long-lost son, a twisted game of cat and mouse that blurs the line between deception and delusion begins.

The project was originated by Renee and Carmella Casinelli under their Big Picture Co. Banner – with the pair attaching Yates to direct.

Additional casting has begun with the movie set to start production in the opening quarter of 2026.

Zellweger and Casinelli said: "Phantom Son is that rare discovery with promise to connect on a broad scale with the kind of rich, character-driven storytelling we love, and we're thrilled it's taking shape with such an extraordinary team.

"With David at the helm, and AGC as our partner, we're poised to deliver something really special."

Renee has played the role of Bridget Jones in the romantic comedy franchise and revealed that she would love to play the character again if she gets the opportunity – despite the series seemingly coming to an end when Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was released earlier this year.

The Oscar-winning star told The Hollywood Reporter: "I keep my fingers crossed that (author and Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding) might want to share some more of her own experiences through the world of Bridget."

Asked where the franchise is at, Zellweger added: "My understanding was that this was kind of it, but I keep my fingers crossed that she might want to share some more of her own experiences through the world of Bridget."

She previously claimed that she will never "let go" of Bridget Jones - a character created by journalist and author Helen Fielding in her 1990s newspaper columns.

Renee said: "I'll miss spending time with everyone that's involved, friendships new and old.

"I don't think I'll ever let go of Bridget. I have conversations about Bridget Jones pretty much every day. I meet people on the sidewalk and they want to share about their own Bridget Jones experiences. All my friends call me Bridget!"

The Cold Mountain star added that she "never" imagined making four Bridget Jones movies.

She said: "Never. Never. No, I just didn’t want to get fired off the first thing, and I didn’t want to let anybody down, and I wanted Helen to be happy."