Melissa McCarthy Joins Judd Apatow's 'Knocked Up' Spin-Off

Melissa McCarthy and Judd Apatow struck up a pretty mutually beneficial relationship for "Bridesmaids," he providing her a spotlight, and she bringing her major talents to help make the film his most successful yet. So, hey, it only makes sense that they team up again, right?

Right.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, McCarthy, who stole scenes as one of Maya Rudolph's bridesmaids in the last film, will play the mom of young "Super 8" star Ryan Lee in Apatow's spin-off of his 2008 film, "Knocked Up." This one will feature Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, supporting cast members in "Knocked Up," as the true stars of the film, chronicling their life raising children in their forties.

McCarthy is also in the crosshairs of her "Bridesmaids" director Paul Feig, who will be directing -- with, once again, Apatow producing -- what is being called an unconventional love story. Jon Hamm is being targeted as the male half of the equation.

"I'm very excited about that project," he Feig recently told Movieline. "I'm writing with them in mind, and it's just a love story that I've always wanted to write, that I think will be really funny, but will play much more real than most quote-unquote romantic comedies. Fingers crossed, I get them to do it."

Then, of course, is that seemingly impending "Bridesmaids" sequel, meaning that McCarthy + Apatow will be a long-running equation.

For more, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.

Comments

[boscobear]

01:53 PM on 07/11/2011

I'm sorry but besides being visually unappealing she is loud and obnoxious. If it wasn't for this movie, she would have never been a bridesmaid.

[MsVella]

02:16 PM on 07/21/2011

Why is she visually unappealing?

[Pippen]

09:11 AM on 07/11/2011

Her timing and committment to the character were awesome. She had me several times unexpectedly and even when I saw her coming and anticipated the punchline she still got me. If I ever see her name in another film, I'll make sure to watch. She's a good actor. Can't believe she's been overlooked for high volume cinema til Bridesmaids.

I only saw Bridesmaids for my wife but I was surprised how a poorly directed glut of talent could come out funny as hell. The story was occassionally lame but these gals hit home runs after home run. It will be purchased and be a staple dvd in my collection. I hope they do a sequal similar to Bridesmaids. Let the gals show the guys of Hangover how it's done.

They delivered a knockout against Hangover II now they need to followup with a Bridesmaids II and put female comedies on the map again. They fell off the radar long time ago and actors have been trying to bring them back into the mainstream. These gals can do it.

[bdazz]

06:49 PM on 07/10/2011

I loved "Gilmore Girls"...I wanted to live in Stars Hollow and see Luke every day of the week. I miss that show..and Suki was a great character. Lauren Graham was amazing too!

[dixiebird333]

08:50 AM on 07/10/2011

Shes great in Mike and Molly, i love that show. I hope its on again this fall, i taped everyone that show is so dam funny !!!

[Rogo99]

10:58 AM on 07/11/2011

M+M is very funny and very nice, but the actress who plays Mike's mother steals every one she's in.

[gemini68]

01:53 PM on 07/11/2011

I loved her in Gilmore Girls- have been a fan ever since. Its great to see her finally get the recognition she deserves.

[hiitskim]

11:40 PM on 07/09/2011

melissa mccarthy stole the show in "bridesmaids." i'm looking forward to her golden globe nomination.

[jackstpaul]

02:45 PM on 07/09/2011

When will we stop having Leslie Mann hoisted on us in movie where she's far from being talented enough to play the role? Nepotism. She's cute and a little quirky, but not deserving of the roles she gets in his movie,and the acclaim she gets as being one of the "new breed" of "funny Americna women" (see Vanity Fair a few years ago, plethora of other similar articles).

[rejoyce5]

12:17 AM on 07/09/2011

She will always be Suki to me! Love her!

[juhar]

03:05 PM on 07/09/2011

Absolutely. fanned and favorite.

I wish "The Gilmore Girls" could have a made for TV movie update. I miss the whole town. Luke, Lane, Kirk, Miss Patty, Babette and her husband and I would like Rory and Logan to re-ignite their love affair.

I don't want to see a return of the Dean character, he kind of played out of interest, and I'm glad he's on "Supernatural". I like Logan in "The Good Wife" and I love April, Luke's daughter on ABC Family "Switched at Birth" on Mondays at 9.

In my opinion, "Switched at Birth" is the next best thing to "The Gilmore Girls."

[dreamg1973]

06:51 PM on 07/08/2011

Happy to hear we'll be seeing more of Melissa McCarthy's talent. She was hysterical in Bridesmaids, can't wait for her to host SNL. I am happy to see someone who is not a size 2 getting such opportunities. Keep making us laugh Melissa!

[Ordinary Citizen]

09:25 AM on 07/09/2011

I totally agree! I am still laughing at that movie. She was totally spot on, funny funny movie!!!

[ajsunpup1]

07:40 AM on 07/10/2011

Agreed!! She was amazing in "Bridesmasids" and look forward to seeing her as well. She follows in Queen Latifah's footsteps. Can't wait for Melissa to make another movie.

[gemini68]

01:55 PM on 07/11/2011

She's a far better actress than Queen Latifah (and has been doing it far longer)- the only thing they have in common is that they are both larger. I would compare her more to the women of SNL thank anyone else.

[sibusibu]

05:00 PM on 07/08/2011

Belushi was right when he said broads ain't funny...and this broad ain't funny. Period. Loved the headline of this article though!

[jeplanet]

02:56 AM on 07/09/2011

Awwww, poor baby.
Sounds like no-one ever laughed at your jokes, huh??

[Ordinary Citizen]

09:27 AM on 07/09/2011

Clearly you did not see the movie...there is no way you can say this and have seen the movie. Take your ho hum, I'm so sad attitude elsewhere please.

[itzkat]

02:56 PM on 07/08/2011

I loved her in Gilmore Girls. I think she is an amazing actress. Nice to see someone that doesn't fit Hollywood's narrow view of women succeed.

[Olivia Romero]

02:53 PM on 07/08/2011

This woman stole the entire movie. I was dazzled. I look forward to seeing her star rise in the coming years.

[jonesll]

02:28 PM on 07/08/2011

HB, we could of done without the highly suggestive language of "Grabs Big Roll".................it's obvious that the actress is (to say the least) rubinesque.

And also I don't equate "Knocked Up 2" as some big film either. If she was in Avatar 2, then "Grabs Big Roll" fits the bill.

That being said, she is a fine actress.

[sibusibu]

04:59 PM on 07/08/2011

no way!..the headline was totally funny!!

[Tazzie]

01:24 PM on 07/08/2011

I only really knew her from playing Sookie on The Gilmour Girls and was pleasantly surprised at her diversity. She was great in both roles but had tears of laughter streaming down my face in Bridesmaids.

[littlepuffycloud]

01:06 PM on 07/08/2011

She stole the entire movie..Her comedic talents are totally wasted on her tv show.

[stealur]

01:13 PM on 07/08/2011

I found her to be the only problem in the movie. Burping and farting is only funny for so long.

[littlepuffycloud]

01:18 PM on 07/08/2011

Different strokes I guess..

[benskelly]

03:00 PM on 07/10/2011

Since you're (sort of) referencing exactly one scene from a two-hour movie that she completely OWNS with her very funny character...I'm pretty sure you didn't even see it. Yeah.

[CAMBEL]

12:57 PM on 07/08/2011

Typically her character would have been turned into an annoying irritant....like Zach Galafinekis's character was in Hangover 2. But every scene with her was uncomfortable and hilarious!