Considering the success of the female-centric comedy Bridesmaids, it should come as a shock to no one that Universal, the studio behind the film, would be interested in turning out a sequel. What surprised many, however, was Universal’s seeming commitment to make the movie with or without the film’s star and co-writer Kristen Wiig. For a while there was talk of the sequel focusing on Melissa McCarthy‘s breakout character Megan, but McCarthy was firm in her conviction not to work on a sequel without Wiig.
Bridesmaids fans have no need to fear, however, as fellow co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey has come forward to say that the sequel may still happen, and Wiig is simply waiting to finish a previous project and come up with an idea worthy of the property. According to E! (via Cinmablend), McLendon-Covey said “I think all she’s waiting for is for her and Annie [Mumolo] to come up with an idea that’s equally as good…It just won’t happen in the next six months.” Apparently producer Judd Apatow echoed a similar conviction, tell THR “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.” He did, however, express his hope that the project could be developed within the year.
Considering the critical drubbing that The Hangover Part II took earlier this year, this seems like a smart creative strategy. However, that film did do outstanding box office business, so there is something to be said for striking while the iron (or at least the buzz) is still hot.
Do you think the nearly universal commitment to waiting for Wiig is a smart move, and what do you think the possible follow-up plot should center on?