Bridesmaids is the surprise summer hit that keeps on giving. Not only has it raked in over $265 million at the box office worldwide, it has made much of its headlining cast hot properties. That includes Melissa McCarthy, who stole nearly every scene that featured her crass character Megan. Since the film came out she has landed a role in Judd Apatow’s next comedy as well as made plans to reunite with her Bridesmaids director Paul Feig for a romantic comedy starring John Hamm.
McCarthy has also caught the eye of Justin Bateman, himself no slouch in the summer comedy department. Bateman is in the process of adding the title “Producer” to his resume and one of his projects is a comedy called ID Theft about a man whose identity gets stolen. by another man. Well, that was the premise until recently when Bateman had the script rewritten so that McCarthy can play the titular character who causes Bateman’s hapless victim so much trouble.
Gender swaps for characters aren’t common, but they’re not exactly unknown either. Probably the most high-profile one in recent years came about when Tom Cruise dropped out of the spy thriller Edwin Salt (to star in Knight And Day of all things) and his lead role was was rewritten for Angelina Jolie and the film was released simply titled Salt.
The two will start production on the film in April when McCarthy’s CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, now entering its sophomore year, goes on hiatus.
