Melissa enjoys role as ‘slightly-crazy’ lady

MANILA, Philippines - Oscar-nominated actress Melissa McCarthy starred in the smash-hit comedy Bridesmaids as Megan, the confident sister of the groom, opposite Kristen Wiig. The film was directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow. For her role in the film, McCarthy was nominated for a BAFTA, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She won a 2012 MTV Movie Award for Comedic Performance of the Year.

Last year, McCarthy won an Emmy, and she recently received her second Emmy nomination for starring as Molly on the CBS comedy Mike & Molly, which is airing its second season. She also received a nomination for guest-hosting Saturday Night Live. She previously starred in Universal Pictures’ This Is 40 for director Apatow.

The 42-year-old plays Diana in the comedy Identity Thief, now showing in theaters nationwide. Her character steals the identity of Sandy Bigelow Patterson, played by Jason Bateman.

What appealed to you about this project?

“I was excited to get a call from Jason Bateman and was looking forward to meeting him because I love the movies he has been involved with over the years. I thought we would get along and be friends, which is the goofy thing every fan thinks.”

How do you see your character, Diana?

“Diana is a slightly crazy character who is really just lonely and running the same cycle over and over again because that is what she has always done.”

Identity Thief is also a road movie. Do you enjoy road trips?

“I really like road trips. I remember driving to California from New York and getting into some really remote places where I could hardly recognize the country I was in. I loved that experience and the variety of it.”

Your character, Diana, is resilient, isn’t she?

“I remember comparing Diana to a cockroach in regards to her resilience. Sometimes, she is in pure survival mode and manages to get back up and walk away from dangerous situations.”

Was it physically challenging to play Diana at times?

“Yes, it was very physically challenging! Both Jason and I had a lot of bruises and some bloody noses along the way, but it was really fun.”

Have you ever been the victim of identity theft?

“Years ago, somebody managed to drain my entire checking account leaving me with nothing. I couldn’t even put gas in my car, pay my bills or get food! I remember being in a bank crying my eyes out and thinking, ‘I can’t leave without any money!’ Somebody had been writing out checks in my name for three days.”

Did you meet with any real identity thieves to prepare for this role?

“A lot of research had already been done by the production team, and I preferred not to meet with identity thieves because I wanted to stick more to why she was doing what she was doing.”

What do you think it takes to do something like stealing someone’s identity?

“Nowadays, you would have to be tech savvy to steal someone’s identity. I don’t think I could do it because I just have no ability with technology. I guess I would have to pickpocket, as I can barely work a computer.”