Seth Gordon To Direct Melissa McCarthy And Jason Bateman In 'Identity Theft'

EXCLUSIVE: Horrible Bosses helmer Seth Gordon is re-teaming with Jason Bateman On Identity Theft, the Universal comedy that will star Bateman and Melissa McCarthy. The script was originated by Jerry Eeten, and then rewritten by Steve Conrad and then Craig Mazin rewrote. Bateman and Scott Stuber are producing and Peter Morgan is exec producer. The premise was originally for a guy whose identity is stolen by another guy, and it was written for Bateman and another actor. That changed after Bateman saw McCarthy’s-scene stealing performance in last summer’s hit Universal comedy Bridesmaids and he pushed for her to be the identity thief.

Thanks to that film, her Emmy- winning work in Mike & Molly and her memorable physical comedy work hosting Saturday Night Live, McCarthy’s become the brightest female physical comedy star to come along in years. The WME-repped Gordon made his mark with the 2007 documentary The King Of Kong, and he’s separately attached to direct the remake of War Games. And Horrible Bosses grossed $209 million worldwide. He’s managed by Brillstein Entertainment Partners.