Director Paul Feig Developing Romantic Comedy For 'Bridesmaids' Break-Out Star Melissa McCarthy

Plus 'Bridemaids' Writer Annie Mumolo & McCarthy Sell Comedy Pitch To Paramount

Earlier this week, The Playlist's Drew Taylor spoke to director Paul Feig about this weekend's raunchy and funny R-Rated wedding-themed comedy "Bridemaids" (which looks like it's on track to be a $21 million opening weekend hit). While Feig was amiable and forthcoming, he would only tease two of the new projects he was working on and wouldn't really give details. One sounded like a bigger studio project that depended on actors' upcoming availability and the other was another Judd Apatow-produced project that could star members from the "Bridemaids" cast.

Despite Feig's reluctance to talk about it, we think we've figured out what it is as he wasn't so tight-lipped with Entertainment Weekly in their latest issue. The magazine reports that Feig is developing a romantic comedy for Melissa McCarthy. Already the titular lead of CBS' sitcom "Mike & Molly," McCarthy pretty much steals every "Bridesmaids" scene she's in with hilarious aplomb and is already being called the breakout sensation of the film.

"If an actress like Melissa becomes a huge star? THAT is a world I want to live in," Feig told EW. Meanwhile, studios are starting to take notice of McCarthy as well and it wouldn't be hyperbole to say her career is about to take off.

With Annie Mumolo, McCarthy and "Bridesmaids" very much part of the cultural conversation this weekend, the duo have struck while the iron is hot. Deadline reports Mumolo and McCarthy have sold an untitled comedy pitch to Paramount. It evidently centers on an ill husband and his wife and group of friends (presumably women) piling into a minivan to steal the Stanley Cup since the doctors seem to be out of curable ideas for the ailing man.

The idea was conceived of by Ben Falcone, McCarthy's husband, the actor who plays the Air Marshall in "Bridesmaids," and the project is supposed to be a starring vehicle for the on-the-rise comedienne. One could argue that the Feig project and this one are one and the same, but to us they sound pretty different. Feig is also apparently developing a comedy project for "Mad Men" actor Jon Hamm who also co-stars in "Bridesmaids." $21 million for a female-lead comedy isn't chump change, so if "Bridesmaids" continues to track as it should this weekend, don't be surprised if more concrete news from these projects start to crystallize.