ARTIST SPOTLIGHT. One year you’re just another one of the masses of actors struggling from paycheck to paycheck to get by and the following year you’re turning down major film roles because you just have too much work. This has happened to a number of different stars throughout the history of the entertainment business and it’s currently happening to Australian actress Rebel Wilson. The plus-sized blonde still isn’t a household name, but keen observers and comedy fans may already recognize her from the recent hit comedy “Bridesmaids,” in which she played Kristen Wiig’s roommate who went through her diary. Since that role, Wilson has been one of the fastest rising stars in the comedy world, booking film after film over the course of 2012 with her entire career squarely in front of her.
The most notable of the many Rebel Wilson projects you will be seeing is “Bachelorette,” which is getting rave reviews from preview audiences and critics alike. Think “The Hangover” except with catty, ridiculous women over the course of a bachelorette party. Wilson plays the woman getting married and the role is already being set up to be the one that really launches her into the spotlight for all the other roles she has coming up this next year.
However, Wilson also has a number of smaller films coming out later this year that prove she has more then just comedic timing for a few supporting character roles. “Small Apartments” is an independent film that did well on the festival circuit and has been picked up for distribution, as well as “Struck by Lightning,” a Tribeca Film. And if it didn’t already seem like Rebel Wilson was suddenly everywhere, you can see her in a few weeks on Universals dance movie comedy “Pitch Perfect,” which looks both raunchy and hilarious.
You may have actually seen and heard her already this year, with her small studio role in the romantic comedy “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.” You may have also heard her in the latest installment of the Ice Age franchise, as her unique Aussie voice is perfect for a prehistoric animal in an animated comedy—among other animated characters she will most likely voice in the future.
With all of these films about to come out, it makes sense that some of the bigger names in the entertainment industry would tap Wilson for her talents. Among the first to work with her is Michael Bay, the incredibly successful action film director who has worked on major studio blockbusters over the past few decades. However, the next Michael Bay film, which he casted Wilson, is a bit smaller in scope, yet still sounds unique. It’s called “Pain and Gain” and follows two bodybuilders who get caught up in a crime syndicate. Wilson will star opposite to A-list heavyweights Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. The comedic acting chops from these three, along with the direction of Michael Bay, should make this a great way to start next summer.
In just a few years, Rebel Wilson has already managed to work with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood on some great film projects. Only time will tell what the future holds for her and her career, but chances are she will have a role in movies for many years to come.
Written by Guest Author: Lauren Michaels. After studying film at UCLA, Lauren found that her second love, writing, allowed her to be both critic and harbinger of information. She now freelances for a variety of entertainment publications and is a regular at her local theater.