The Daily Beast caught up with Bridesmaids director Paul Feig on the MTV Movie Awards red carpet last night. He talked about women in comedy, the ceremony's host Rebel Wilson, and his latest female-centric comedy, The Heat, which stars Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Here are six questions (and answers) culled from our conversation.
What can you tell me about Rebel Wilson? She's hilarious and unpredictable, that's why I'm really looking forward to [the Awards]. The minute I heard she was hosting I was like 'Wow, go MTV! What a great idea.' Having worked with her, I know there's a surprise at every turn.
Your latest film, The Heat, comes out on June 28. What was it like working with comedic powerhouse Melissa McCarthy? It's our second time working together and she's such a treat. She's such a trooper. I'm lucky that I find these hilarious women to work with who always surprise me all the time. Because as the director I want to feel like the audience and be surprised. These women will provide you with that. And that's why Sandra [Bullock] was so great, she would surprise me constantly. I knew she was funny but I didn't know she was that funny.
You have a knack for working with hilarious female comedians. Who else would you like to work with?Oh gosh, I mean there's so many people: Amy Poehler. Tina Fey. I'd love to work with Maya [Rudolph] again. Miranda Hart, who's a comedian out of London. Jennifer Lawrence, I mean who knew she was so hilarious? My goal is to keep breaking the door open wider so Hollywood doesn't say, 'No, you can't star a woman in this.' It's not about whether or not it's a women's comedy or a men's comedy...it's just a comedy. I want the audience to go, 'They're funny, and I don't care if they're a man or a women, I'm going to go see [the film].' Then we would have truly achieved something.Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yeah, oh very much so. Most of my friends are women. I've always just kind of hung out with them my whole life, to the point where I don't even mix that well with guys who are hardcore, guy-ishness, I get very uncomfortable. I'd rather hang out with the ladies.Any talk of a Bridesmaids 2?Not yet, everybody's kind of doing their own thing. And it all depends on Kristen [Wiig].What's next for you?A female spy movie. It's like the female James Bond. It's real, it's funny. There will still be action and danger, but it will be funny.
