‘Bridesmaids’ rising star Melissa McCarthy has been cast in the upcoming ‘Knocked Up’ spin-off, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The untitled comedy, which was at one point called ‘This is Forty,’ will reunite the actress with Judd Apatow, who produced the highest grossing female R comedy of all time.
Apatow is writing and directing the spin-off to his hit 2007 romantic comedy. The spin-off will follow forty-somethings Pete and Debbie, played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, respectively, as they raise their children. Debbie is the sister of Alison, the main female character in ‘Knocked Up,’ who was played by Katherine Heigl. There’s no word yet if Heigl or Seth Rogen, who plays Ben, the father of Alison’s daughter, will reprise their roles in the spin-off.
The character details of the spin-off, which is being produced by Barry Mendel and Clayton Townsend, are being kept secret. However, ‘Super 8’s Ryan Lee has also been cast, presumably as McCarthy’s son. He will reportedly attend the same school where Pete and Debbie’s children attend.
McCarthy, who appears on the CBS sitcom ‘Mike and Molly,’ will also reunite with her ‘Bridesmaids’ director Paul Feig in another film, an unconventional love story. She’ll also reunite with her ‘Bridesmaids’ co-star Jon Hamm in the film, which will be produced by Apatow.
Written by: Karen Benardello
