Michelle Darnell

Plot

The story follows Michelle Darnell, a titan of industry who is sent to prison after she’s convicted of 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

Development

Melissa McCarthy announced that in March 2015 she will film Michelle Darnell, a comedy film based on a character McCarthy first created in The 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".

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 perform in every scene he or she is in. The studio had also considered Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm and even Oprah Winfrey for the role. On February 12, Kathy Bates was cast to play Darnell’s tough, wealthy and eccentric mentor. On February 18, Kristen Bell was added to the cast to play Claire, Darnells former personal assistant who is trying to start a brownie business. On March 11, Tyler Labine was cast as Mike, Claire’s boyfriend, who teams up with Claire and Michelle to help them save their brownie business. On March 12, Timothy Simons was in the film. On April 7, Kristen Schaal was cast to play a scout leader. On April 15, Margo Martindale joined the cast. On April 24, Annie Mumolo joined the cast. On April 28, Cecily Strong was cast in an unspecified role.

Filming

Principal photography began March 12, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia and has filmed in numerous area locations including Agnes Scott College, Crescent Avenue in Midtown and the Buckhead Loop area.

Release

On January 5, 2015, Universal announced a film release date of April 8, 2016, which was the original release date of an upcoming "Clifford the Big Red Dog" movie.