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It’s been more than two years since Bridesmaids’ box-office success led observers to predict that more female-fronted comedies would soon flood theaters.
But at Sunday night’s premiere of the Sandra Bullock–Melissa McCarthy starrer The Heat, the movie’s cast and crew were surprised that the women’s film revolution had yet to occur.
“I really thought there would be a lot more since [Bridesmaids] did so well,” director Paul Feig, who also helmed Bridesmaids, told The Hollywood Reporter. “Look at this summer, we’re the only studio release that has women in the lead roles. I think that’s terrible because there are so many talented women that need to be working. So, Hollywood needs to catch up.”
PHOTOS: Melissa McCarthy, Sandra Bullock Turn Up ‘The Heat’ At New York Premiere
Melissa McCarthy also said she didn’t know why there hadn’t been more comedies with women in lead roles.
“I can’t tell you what it is. It certainly doesn’t make sense to me, but I think things are changing,” she said.
McCarthy noted that her upcoming movie Tammy had seven women in major roles and “we had no problem selling that.”
McCarthy’s on-screen partner-in-crime, Sandra Bullock, was enthusiastic about seeing more female-fronted comedies, saying “That’s a no-brainer.”
STORY: Melissa McCarthy on Photoshopped ‘Heat’ Poster: My Husband Did It
In fact, these films might be coming from Fox.
Studio head Jim Gianopulos told guests at Sunday night’s premiere that his only note after first seeing The Heat was a question for Feig: “Can you make more movies for us?”
Indeed, Feig has a multi-picture deal with Fox and Gianopulos knows what Feig’s forte is.
“That’s his genre; he likes that,” Gianopulos said. “That doesn’t mean that’s the only thing he’s going to do, but he does it very well.”
Even though Fox needs a hit after the dismal box-office performance of The Internship, Gianopulos said he didn’t feel pressure for The Heat to be a success.
“It’s a film that sells itself,” he said. “Anyone that sees it gets it. It’s a perfect word-of-mouth movie, and it’s already tracking really well. We’re really confident about it.”
VIDEO: Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy Show Off Dance Moves In New ‘Heat’ Clip
Fox is reportedly interested in a sequel, and screenwriter Katie Dippold confirmed to THR at the premiere that she was working on one and hoped it would happen.
Feig was similarly optimistic but didn’t want to jinx the first film, which opens on Friday.
“We don’t want to be so presumptuous,” he said. “Let’s just make this one a hit first and then hopefully they’ll let us make another one.”
Although Bullock has expressed reservations about a Heat sequel, she told THR she’s being particularly careful about which movies she signs onto now.
“I’m kind of happy in my little world with my [son] right now. If something amazing comes along in the future when I’m ready for it, I’ll go for it,” she said.
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