Melissa McCarthy joins Judd Apatow's Knocked Up spinoff

It's easy to love Melissa McCarthy. Even before Bridesmaids, she was a bubbly, often hilarious addition to any cast, whether it be TV or film. But there's no doubt that her breakout this year is putting on a lot of people's must-have lists. She's set to rejoin Bridesmaids director, Paul Feig, in a romantic comedy opposite Jon Hamm. That's not a go just yet, but it looks like she'll be staying in the Judd Apatow family as part of his Knocked Up spinoff, This is Forty.

Apatow, who produced Bridesmaids, wants McCarthy for the film considered to be a "continuation" of Knocked Up. It follows Pete(Paul Rudd) and Debbie(Leslie Mann), the troubled married couple of the film as they deal with growing older and fresh new temptations. McCarthy will play a mother at the school attended by their kids. Her son will be played by Ryan Lee, who most will recognize as the fireworks enthusiast kid from Super 8. 

Charlyne Yi will be reprising her role from Knocked Up. Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Chris O'Dowd,  and Lena Dunham(Tiny Furniture) are also aboard. This is Forty has a June 1st 2012 release date. [THR]