Yes, we know. It's hasn't even been 24 hours since we last weighed in on the whole "Kristen Wiig isn't doing a 'Bridesmaids' sequel" revelation, but in never-ending conversation, no one has really talked about what she's actually doing next. However, Vulture now report that while the actress definitely has no intention of doing a sequel to the 2011 box office hit, her only project for 2012 so far is joining Sean Penn and Robert De Niro for "The Comedian," with shooting planned to take place during her 'SNL' hiatus, begining in June.
Described by producer/co-scribe Art Linson as a "romantic comic drama," the movie has been in the works for quite some time. In its earliest stages, it was rumored to be a potential project for a Scorsese-De Niro reunion. Penn was later unveiled as the helmer, for what will be his first effort behind the camera since 2008's "Into The Wild" starring Emile Hirsch. In "The Comedian," Wiig is set to star as a redhead love interest for De Niro's has-been comedian, who is sentenced to community service after hitting a heckler in the head with a microphone.
As we touched upon in yesterday's story, Wiig's hesitance (possibly resistance) in doing a "Bridesmaids" sequel reportedly has to do with her enthusiasm to "try something else," with Vulture now adding that she's well aware of the "checkered track record of SNL comics and Hollywood’s tendency to pigeonhole them into profitable oblivion." One only has to look at the track record of folks like Molly Shannon, Chris Kattan, Tim Meadows, Julia Sweeny, Chris Farley and Al Franken to find all the evidence you need of former 'SNL' alums whose big screen flames fizzled very, very fast. And while "Bridesmaids" isn't based on a pre-existing sketch, Wiig's character is very much an archetype of a variety she plays on the show (neurotic, insecure) and so it's easy to see why she wants to prove herself versatile first.
"The Comedian" producer Linson, who co-scripted the film with Roastmaster General Jeffrey Ross, agrees, adding that he "doubts that it’s a business decision for her. She can write, she can act; she doesn’t just ‘do funny,’ so I’d think it’s more likely that her thinking is, ‘I want to play with all these toys until the battery runs out.’”
So, she's pretty much ditching a big fat paycheck to do a film with Penn and De Niro? Love it. And add to that roles in the upcoming "Friends With Kids" and "Imogene" and it looks like Wiig is eager to prove she's just not Annie Walker.