Melissa McCarthy was something of a jobbing sitcom actress in the United States, thanks to roles in Gilmore Girls, Samantha Who and Mike and Molly.
But it was her breakthrough in Bridesmaids four years ago which drew an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress and pushed her into the A-list. Now movie titans are clambering over themselves to work with the bubbly, Illinois-raised star.
“You work with huge, huge names,” she explains in a suite at London’s Claridges.
"Actors you've admired for decades. And when you meet them, they're bending over backwards to please you. Like when I worked with Sandra Bullock in The Heat, she was constantly running to get me water and checking if I had everything I needed. It was like, 'Yes, Sandra Bullock, I would like another water.' Where in the world does that make sense?"
Married to Bridesmaids co-star Ben Falcone, father of their two daughters, Vivian, 8, and Georgette, 4, she's since used her fresh star power to land leads opposite Susan Sarandon in Tammy and the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot, which will see her reteam with Wiig alongside Saturday Night Live's Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.
But in her new film Spy, which opens in the UAE tomorrow, she leads quite possibly her most star-studded charge including Jude Law, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne and Miranda Hart.
McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a mild-mannered analyst for the Secret Service who longs for her chance to operate in the field and become an international spy.
When the identities of all her fellow agents are compromised, it's up to her to take down a ruthless terrorist who's harbouring a deadly nuclear weapon. Rather than a spoof comedy, Bridesmaids helmer Paul Feig has crafted a slick action adventure that sees McCarthy take on her most daring role yet – Jane Bond. In a patterned cream blouse, with her hair hanging loose around her noticeably slimmer frame, the 44-year-old talks stunts, out of body experiences and her obsession with the TV serial Call the Midwife.
So this is your James Bond moment. Did you ever think you’d have a James Bond moment in your career?
Well you don’t see James Bond running in heels and falling down a lot [laughs]. I fell down many many times but yes, this was my moment. And a film, a role I never thought I would have the good fortune to be a part of. But what I love about her. On paper, she’s the world’s most unlikely spy but becomes kind of a badass ... Let’s be honest, it’s the kind of script you’d think, ‘hang on, this is somewhat unbelievable, you still buy it.’ She’s capable but not really confident but that grows. I love how it unfolds, how bit by bit she moves on to hanging out of helicopters with Jason Statham. It’s got everything, this film.
I expected a spoof of spy films but this is proper legit. Susan is an actual spy.
It was a big risk because a spoof would have been the safer option, no question. But everyone went into it, trying to make sure no one thought it was spoof. No one had any interest in that. It’s not like it reads. It was dangerous and fast, and the spy story had to add up with comedy on top of it. All the speed and the tension stays and that was important to maintain the heart and beat of the film.
One can only assume this was your most physically challenging film ... ever.
Ever! [laughs] And I learnt a lot from it too. What you sometimes read in a script, is not what you'd expect. With Spy, you read a part of a script that's like an eighth of a page and reads, 'hanging from a helicopter'. I never knew that that equates to three days hanging from a helicopter. Three full days of hanging on with blisters, harnesses, which aren't comfy. Things get moved around. It's wild. And with Jason Statham hanging off you. OK, there are worse things in life. Far worse things ... I think I can do everything now, this film has given me so much confidence, I want to do it all. And my kids got such a kick out of it. They'd ask: 'Mummy, why are your whole ribs black and blue?' Because mummy is kicking ass.
Speaking of your cast, you seemed to bond so well on screen. Was it the same on set?
It was this electric atmosphere that really stems from Paul [Feig] and his energy. He brings together people from all walks and under his glorious leadership, a family emerges. And what an amazing group of actors. I mean, Jude Law. Dreamy. He's so incredibly smart, and a geek. A theatre geek, which I love the combination of because let's be honest, he's real pretty to look at too. Such a good actor, Rose, she's such a good actress, wickedly funny, and it's our second movie together, she's great, a force of nature. Jason Statham is funny, I never knew that. He's so game for everything, always prepared, always right there. And it doesn't matter what you throw at him, he'll do it. He'll be in the moment in a scene, and Paul will say, 'Jason, this isn't working, try this instead,' and it will be a whole new monologue that he will deliver with the straightest face. Into my face. Which made me break, a lot. And I don't break but when he's right there [puts hand in front of face] it's intense. And Miranda, she's the funniest person I've ever met. And the smartest, she writes her own show and has Call the Midwife which we were all obsessed with.
Did you talk about a guest spot?
It didn’t come up but I would love that. No really, I’m obsessed with that show.
Since the Oscar nomination, you’ve become this box-office lead. Did it change everything for you?
Bridesmaids changed my whole life, one eighty, and I'm so grateful, especially at this stage of my career when you know, it's supposed to be harder for a woman in her forties. And doing stuff with my friends that we had been doing for years in a little theatre in Los Angeles for free, and I thought, 'I couldn't believe we got to do it, let alone have that response, was just bonkers.' Everything has changed. I get the shot at doing things that are so fun an exciting; I'm just crossing my fingers that it keeps going because my life right now is so fun.
What was your reaction with the Oscar nomination?
Yeah, crazy. I stood there and watched it and it didn’t register and my husband Ben just stood there watching me, in this catatonic half-state. I had totally disassociated myself with it. And it wasn’t until Octavia [Spencer]’s name got called, and I burst out crying, saying Octavia just got nominated for an Oscar, and Ben says to me, ‘did you hear?’ And I literally had to work my way back from that. And then we rewound it and I watched it again. It was a fully came-out-of-body experience.
Is Bridesmaids 2 going to happen?
I’ve no idea. Kristin and Annie [Mumolo] wrote the funniest thing and I have no knowledge but I would assume to say, they just don’t, wouldn’t want to do anything that wasn’t equally as good. But I’ll show up, I’ll show up whenever I’m needed. I’ve heard lots of stuff about the sequel and frankly, when Kristen and Annie write it and if they want me on board again, I will cancel everything to be there.
Talk to me about Ghostbusters, which we will see you together with Kristin. And collaborating with Paul Feig once again, which will be your fourth time working together.
Well I couldn’t be happier about the cast, working with them and Paul’s going to bring a lot of fun and people are going to love it. I’m a huge Ghostbusters fan, I’ve seen it like 10,000 times so I couldn’t be more looking forward to a reboot. Whether I’m in it or not.
Does tinkering around with a classic warrant concern?
You have those doubts, naturally, but it’s a female cast and it’s modern so it will put a new spin on it. It’s going to scare and have action and lots of comedy. I’m really excited.
Let’s talk quickly about your fashion line.
It’s a label for all women, every size, who want to look great, and it’s clothes that I would wear myself. And I wouldn’t put anything out there that I wouldn’t wear myself.
Have you had much input?
More than I thought I would. But then, my name is on the label, I didn’t want anything OK’d until I’d seen it and sampled it. I want to make people feel good about what they wear.
Quickly, Spy is your Bond moment. Who’s your favourite Bond?
I really like Daniel Craig. I like them all, I’ve seen them all. He was the first one where that guy can take you. He can beat you up and you’re not moving. He’s got some street in him.
Could he take on Susan Cooper?
I’d like to think it would be a pretty level-playing field. She’s got some street too.
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