It’s no surprise that after the wild success of both Bridesmaids and The Heat, director Paul Feig is continuing to double down on female-oriented comedies. By the same token, it’s also no surprise that he has decided to hitch his wagon to the hottest comedic actor in Hollywood, Melissa McCarthy. Just before The Heat hit theatres last month, it was revealed that Feig’s next project would likely be a spy comedy called Susan Cooper, which had been picked up by 20th Century Fox as part of their first-look deal with Feig’s production company Feigco. Now it is being reported that Melissa McCarthy has been offered a starring role in the film. Considering that Identity Thief and The Heat are the two biggest comedies of the year so far, this seems like a smart move. But how long will it be before the inevitable Melissa McCarthy backlash hits?

According to The Wrap, Melissa McCarthy is now in “early talks” to join Susan Cooper. An offer is on the table and negotiations are on-going, but it will also require them to work around her shooting schedule for Mike & Molly. Feig wrote the movie himself and will produce it as well, but has not yet committed to direct it.

What is still unclear is whether or not McCarthy is being offered the lead role of the film. The titular character Susan Cooper is being described as “a female James Bond-type”, which doesn’t necessarily seem to fit McCarthy’s schtick. On the other hand, perhaps that is what will make it funny. Either way, 20th Century Fox seems to have high hopes for the project, looking at it as the possible start of a new franchise. Are you a fan of Melissa McCarthy? Does Susan Cooper sound like something you would be interested in?