It’s may seem strange that Paul Feig, the man behind last summer’s female-centric comedy smash “Bridesmaids,” didn't immediately jump on the first big opportunity that came along in the wake of that film, but that's because he's wisely selected his follow-up project carefully, with the promising cop comedy “The Heat” set to go next. He’s already lined up megastar Sandra Bullock and “Bridesmaids” MVP Melissa McCarthy for the lead roles of a by-the-book FBI agent (Bullock) and an unconventional Boston cop (McCarthy), with a difficult relationship, and the film recently added familiar comedic talent in “Arrested Development” actor Tony Hale — and now Feig is making the pot even sweeter.
Demián Bichir, last seen being one of the few admirable aspects of Oliver Stone’s mess of a crime thriller “Savages,” has joined the cast as an FBI agent. Plot details are still a little scant on this one, but with an Academy Award nomination under his belt for “A Better Life” and an upcoming role in Robert Rodriguez’s “Machete Kills,” it’s great to see a talent like Bichir lending his prowess to so many genres (this is his first major comedy).
Actresses Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo have also been lined up for the film, who’ve previously worked with Feig on their mockumentary-style comedy show “Ronna & Beverly.” You may recognize the pair from smaller roles on everything from “Entourage,” “Weeds,” and “Suburgatory,” to “United States of Tara,” “90210,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” So yeah, it’s safe to say they’ve been working at honing their comedic chops.
The film is currently lensing in Boston, after a rewrite of Katie Dipold’s script by “The Office” writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky earlier in the year. We don’t think we have to say we’re anticipating this one, but we are.