Leslie Mann has joined the cast of The Change Up, which also stars Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, and Olivia Wilde. No word on her part, though I would bet with relative certainty that she plays Bateman’s wife who Bateman tries to get away from by switching bodies with Reynolds to pursue Wilde. Just a guess though.
Glad we got that out of the way. Let’s talk about the lovely Leslie Mann now. She’s one powerful lady in comedy these days. You know the old, tired, worn out, (writing all those adjectives makes me regret starting the sentence this way), and trite phrase “behind every great man is a great woman?” Cynical feminist adds “…a great woman rolling her eyes.” Anyway, I don’t think Leslie is rolling her eyes at her husband, film juggernaut Judd Apatow. In fact, I don’t think she’s standing behind him at all. I think she’s rightfully earned her place beside him.
Mann grounds any scene she’s in with a realistic heart. She was able to bring Adam Sandler back from the brink in Funny People. Her character in Knocked Up (together with Seth Rogen), though shrill, authentically depicted a contemporary couple and the struggles they face. And in the 40 Year-Old Virgin, she threw up in a car like no one else I have ever seen. And I have seen a lot of vomiting in cars. Of course, these are just the movies her husband has directed but she still brings the same charm to all her roles. I’m sure there will be a tense scene in The Change Up between Bateman and Mann (if my theory is correct) where Bateman learns to appreciate his wife. With any other actress (and actor for that matter) the scene might feel hokey, but I know Mann can deliver the kind of scene that transforms a movie.
Also she and Apatow seem to have passed down the comedy genes. Their two daughters star in Knocked Up and Funny People as Leslie’s character’s kids. So not only is she able to produce extremely adorable kids, they’re also flipping hilarious actresses as well.
Source: TheWrap, The Hollywood Reporter
