Following the news that Hugh Grant has dropped out of the third Bridget Jones movie, it appears that the film has lost another star, this time by choice. The Hollywood rumour mill has gone into overdrive with reports that the woman who brought titular character to live on the big screen has been dropped. Renee Zellweger, 45, drew international headlines when she made a rare public appearance last week as many speculated she had undergone extensive cosmetic surgery. Renee, pictured on a rare public appearance last week.  The Oscar-winning star denied the chatter and put her new look down to healthier, happier living, saying: “I’m glad folks think I look different!” “I’m living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I’m thrilled that perhaps it shows.” Now, reports suggest that fellow Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon, 38, could be set to take over the role, having been offered a whopping £20 million fee. Leading ladies: Reese and Renee pictured at a Vera Wang event, 2010 There have long been rumours of discord between Zellweger and Helen Fielding, the author responsible for creating Bridget, with readers noticing Renee’s absence from the list of acknowledgements in the third book of the series. Mad About The Boy was released last year, and Fielding paid tribute to leading men Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in her notes for bringing Darcy and Daniel to the big screen.