Michelle Darnell

Michelle Darnell
Directed by Ben Falcone
Produced by Ben Falcone
Melissa McCarthy
Will Ferrell
Adam McKay
Chris Henchy
Written by Ben Falcone
Melissa McCarthy
Steve Mallory
Starring Melissa McCarthy
Kristen Bell
Peter Dinklage
Kathy Bates
Tyler Labine
Margo Martindale
Annie Mumolo
Kristen Schaal
Timothy Simons
Cecily Strong
Production
company
Gary Sanchez Productions
On the Day Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates
  • April 8, 2016 (United States)
Country United States
Language English

Michelle Darnell is a upcoming 2016 American comedy film directed by Ben Falcone and produced, co-written by, and starring Melissa McCarthy as the titular character. The film is scheduled to be released on April 8, 2016, by Universal Pictures.[1]

Plot

The story follows Michelle Darnell, a titan of industry who is sent to prison after she’s caught for insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America’s latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.

Cast

Production

Melissa McCarthy announced that in March 2015 she will film Michelle Darnell, a comedy film based on a character McCarthy first created in the Los Angeles Groundlings, about "a self-help inspiration speaker (a la Suze Orman or Oprah) who goes to jail for insider trading, and struggles to reinvent herself as America’s new sweetheart when she’s released".[2]

Casting

On February 4, 2015, Peter Dinklage joined the cast as the antagonist of the film. Universal has gone back and forth on whether the role should be a male or female, caring more about landing a star who can chew up every scene he or she is in. The studio had also considered Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm and even Oprah Winfrey for the role.[3] On February 12, Kathy Bates also joined the cast to play Darnell’s tough, wealthy and eccentric mentor.[4] On February 18, Kristen Bell was added to the cast to play Claire, Darnell's former personal assistant who is trying to start a brownie business.[5] On March 11, Tyler Labine was added to the cast to play Mike, Claire’s boyfriend, who teams up with Claire and Michelle to help them save their brownie business.[6] On March 12, Timothy Simons joined the cast of the film.[7] On April 7, Kristen Schaal joined the cast and will play a scout leader.[8]

Filming

Principal photography began March 11, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia[10]

Release

On January 5, 2015, Universal announced a film release date of April 8, 2016.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Melissa McCarthy Comedy 'Michelle Darnell' Gets Release Date". January 5, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone Preview 5 New Film Projects - Variety". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kroll, Justin (February 4, 2015). "Peter Dinklage to Star with Melissa McCarthy in ‘Michelle Darnell’ (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kit, Borys (February 12, 2015). "Kathy Bates Reuniting With Melissa McCarthy for 'Michelle Darnell' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kit, Borys (February 18, 2015). "Kristen Bell Joins Melissa McCarthy in 'Michelle Darnell'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Petski, Denise (March 11, 2015). "Tyler Labine To Star In Dan O’Shannon CBS Pilot, Joins ‘Michelle Darnell’ Feature". Deadline. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ford, Rebecca (March 12, 2015). "'Veep' Actor Timothy Simons Joins Melissa McCarthy's 'Michelle Darnell' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kit, Borys (April 7, 2015). "Kristen Schaal Joins Melissa McCarthy in 'Michelle Darnell'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/margo-martindale-americans-return-789017
  10. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy, Peter Dinklage in Atlanta for the movie “Michelle Darnell”". March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.

External links