With Bridesmaids sitting comfortably on the throne as the most successful comedy of 2011, talk of a sequel began almost as soon as the cash started rolling in. But things have not been quite as swift as you’d expect, which is leading to speculation that any follow-up might have to do without the original film’s co-writers Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, who also co-starred.
Why the hitch? The writers are, understandably, ready to break new ground and don’t want to simply churn out another outing for the main characters played by Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper. “We aren't working on that," Wiig, who co-wrote the film with Annie Mumolo, tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Annie and I aren't planning a sequel. We are writing something else."
The Reporter has also sourced word that some of the cast were less than pleased with the bonuses they received once the movie got into heavy money territory.
Now, despite Universal boss Ron Meyer trying to woo Wiig back to work on a sequel, it looks like the studio may have to go ahead without her. “We are over the moon with the success of Bridesmaids, and if we do a sequel we want to get it right," a Universal rep says. "We are talking to filmmakers now about concepts, and if the right one emerges, we'll move forward." There’s no word yet on whether that list of filmmakers includes director Paul Feig.
Theoretically, there’s always the chance any new film could spin off one of the characters – after all, McCarthy’s Megan was one of the breakout elements.
Whatever happens, you can be fairly sure something sequel-wise will eventually toddle along. Even Judd Apatow seems to think it’ll happen: "The key is we have to come up with an idea that is as good or better than the first one," he says in a statement. "We don't want to do it unless it can be great. I don't think anyone has had the brain space to think about it yet. Hopefully that can begin this year." Doubt he’d go forward without at least getting Wiig and Mumolo’s blessing, though…