Melissa McCarthy Discusses Future of Universal's 'Bridesmaids' Sequel

Melissa McCarthy addressed the future of a Bridesmaids' sequel this weekend in the wake of The Hollywood Reporter's story saying Universal is considering moving forward without star and co-writer Kristen Wiig.

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"This is not true at all," McCarthy told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet of the Palm Springs Film Festival Gala. "That was a comment that someone made without having the authority to make it. It's was just an idea—and it got out there before any decisions have been made."

And, to make her point doubly clear, the actress, who'll next appear in Judd Apatow's This is 40, added, "I can tell you unequivocally that that is not true."

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Sources told THR last week that part of the tension between McCarthy's co-star Wiig and the studio may be the result of a lower-than-expect bonus after the film's runaway success. "We aren't working on that," Wiig told THR in reference to plans for a second movie. "Annie and I aren't planning a sequel. We are writing something else."

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Sources say that some of the six principal cast members (Wiig, McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) were underwhelmed with the $100,000 bonus each received -- the sum struck some as low given the film's outsized success. Asked by THR whether she was offended by the dollar figure, Wiig declined comment.

In the past, Universal has shown a willingness to move ahead on a big franchise without the original stars. The studio is in production on Bourne Legacy, a fourth Bourne film but the first without Matt Damon. TheFast & Furious franchise has endured a host of cast comings-and-goings, with April's Fast Fivegenerating a franchise-best $626 million worldwide.

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Additional reporting by Merle Ginsberg