Bridesmaids Director Paul Feig Slams Critic Who Called Melissa McCarthy ‘Tractor-Sized,’ ‘Female Hippo’

“Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig has spoken out regarding film critic Rex Reed’s scathing comments aimed at Melissa McCarthy’s weight.

Feig, who directed the Oscar–nominated actress in the 2011 hit comedy, took to Twitter on Friday to slam Reed’s venomous comments — which included dubbing McCarthy “obnoxious,” “tractor-sized” and a “female hippo.”

“For his catty and school bully name-calling of the supremely talented Melissa McCarthy, I cordially invite Mr. Rex Reed to go f**k himself,” Feig Tweeted, referencing Reed’s shockingly harsh review of McCarthy and Jason Bateman’s “Identity Thief.”

Feig’s words were re-Tweeted nearly 1,000 times and earned dozens of supportive comments from his followers.

“Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Shonda Rhimes also chimed in, Tweeting, “Best. Tweet. Ever.”

WATCH: Melissa McCarthy Reveals Her First Crush, First Kiss & More!

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jason Bateman recently revealed to Access that he had specifically wanted McCarthy as his co-star in “Identity Thief” – though the part was written for a man.

“I, just like everyone else who saw ‘Bridesmaids,’ was just blown away by her and wanted to work with her immediately and the project that I had in front of me at the time was for two guys,” he told Access in an interview late last month, of helping to bring the comedienne on board the new big screen romp. “It made sense to maybe change the thief into a woman and [I] talked to people who we we’re making it with [to see] if they’d be on board with that and they were very excited.”

McCarthy will soon be seen on the big screen in yet another Paul Feig-directed comedy, “The Heat” – co-starring Sandra Bullock.

The film is slated for theatrical release on June 28.

— Erin O’Sullivan

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Ernie Hudson's Age-Defying Looks At 78 Leave 'Ghostbusters' Fans Stunned