Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Bridget Marquardt defends Jessica Biel casting as late Playboy founder's wife in upcoming film

Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Bridget Marquardt defended the casting of Jessica Biel in the upcoming movie about the famed Playboy Mansion.

She showed her support for Biel, 44, and her participation in the movie about the late Playboy founder despite Hefner's widow Crystal Harris's public plea asking the actress to reconsider the decision. 

'I don't think Jessica probably even knows who [Crystal] is. She might know now, but I don't think that Jessica should respond,' Marquard said on Thursday's episode of The TMZ Podcast hosted by Carlie Neff.

'I think that they are looking for attention, and I don't think she should respond to it. I think she should totally do the role,' she added about reports that Biel is gearing up to portray Hefner's third wife Harris in the upcoming film titled Playmates.

Marquardt, 53, previously starred on Girls Next Door, dating and living with Hefner from 2002 to 2009.

Harris was with Hefner for nearly nine years and married to him for about five until his death in 2017. 

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Biel was casted as the fictionalized version of Hefner's wife Harris in the forthcoming Playmates film, per Variety. 

Biel will be starring opposite Bill Pullman, with the 72-year-old actor portraying the late Playboy founder. The cast also includes Lily-Rose Depp and Indiana Elle. 

Playmates was written and directed by Lorraine Nicholson, the daughter of Oscar winner Jack Nicholson.

After the film was announced, Harris privately messaged Biel on Instagram and asked her not to take the role. 

She later posted the message publicly to her three million Instagram followers. 

'Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner's "wife" if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world,' she wrote to Biel. 

'I was actually his wife, and I experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse in that relationship,' she continued. 'Many other women have come forward with allegations of rape, coercion, drugging and exploitation as well.' 

In response to news about the project as well as Harris's reaction, Marquardt said on the podcast: 'I think [Crystal] might be confused on the time frame that is happening, or there just might be confusion. 

'Maybe I'm wrong about the time frame that's happening but... as far as I know, this has nothing to do with her time period,' she continued.

The former Girls Next Door star added: 'I'm happy for Lorraine, and I'm excited to see what she comes up with. I believe that her time at the mansion was in the early to mid-90s, and she was kind of a teen, preteen. 

'It's such a unique time to be there,' she added. 'Hef was married with small kids. I've heard that the lifestyle and everything at the mansion was totally different back then. So, I'm excited to see the movie.' 

Over a week ago, Harris responded to the news that Biel would be playing the part of Hefner's wife in the new movie and asked the actress to reconsider via an Instagram post. 

'There are also deeply troubling concerns involving minors,' she claimed in her direct message to Biel, which she shared publicly on Thursday, October 8. 'I hope everyone involved in this film takes the time to listen to the women who lived it before helping Hollywood turn it back into nostalgia.'

Addressing Harris's post, Marquardt said she believed that every woman who experienced the Playboy Mansion should be able to share their own stories. 

'The mansion is a fascinating place because so many people have come and gone and everybody has unique stories,' she said. 'There's not two stories that are similar. Everybody has their own experiences that they had there.' 

Marquardt added: 'What bothers me is if somebody doesn't want other people to tell their story. I don't like that she doesn't want Lorraine to tell the story or Jessica to be a part of it. I feel like everybody should be allowed to tell their story — positive or negative.' 

As for another Girls Next Door alum, Holly Madison also shared her reaction to the project in a separate interview with the outlet and showed her support for the project, casting and all. 

'I can't wait to see it,' she told TMZ on Saturday, October 10. 

Former Playboy model and journalist Lisa Guerrero backed Harris, writing, 'Any attempt to soften or humanize this man's image is one too many.'

Guerrero, who hosted A&E's controversial Playboy exposé Secrets of Playboy, added: 'We talked to dozens of women who spoke about their abuse at the hands of Hugh Hefner and the other people in his circle. This has been well documented, and I'm surprised anyone would accept a role in a film like this.'

When reached for comment, Harris bluntly told the Daily Mail: 'Hugh Hefner was not an artist or anyone to be celebrated. He was a narcissistic and misogynistic pornographer who mistreated and exploited women at the highest level.'