Sebastian Stan and Maria Bakalova Attached to New Spy Comedy

Sebastian Stan and Maria Bakalova may Star for Paul Feig in New Spy Comedy

‘Welcome to Flatch’ writer Jenny Bicks is on to write the script for the new movie, which is said to involve a failed double agent who scores another chance.

(Left) Sebastian Stan at D23 2022, (Center) Director Paul Feig at the premiere of 'The School for Good and Evil,' (Right) Maria Bakalova in 'Bodies Bodies Bodies.'

Given that comedy director Paul Feig had a big success with 2015’s Melissa McCarthy comedy ‘Spy’, which earned more than $235 million worldwide, it’s understandable that he might be tempted by a new film looking to combine laughs and espionage.

Which is good news for an untitled spy comedy in development at Paramount, which already has some potential casting in place –– as MCU stalwart Sebastian Stan and ‘Borat’ sequel star Maria Bakalova –– are attached to star.

Jenny Bicks, whose comedy series ‘Welcome to Flatch’ is produced by Feig (and returns for a second season this fall) has been hired to write the script.

Laurie Feig and Paul Feig attend the World Premiere Of Netflix's 'The School For Good And Evil' at Regency Village Theatre on October 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

(L to R) Laurie Feig and Paul Feig attend the World Premiere Of Netflix's 'The School For Good And Evil' at Regency Village Theatre on October 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

What’s the story of this new spy movie?

Details are scarce on this one, but according to Deadline, the concept originally appeared in a pitch to the studio about a failed double agent who becomes an unlikely success. Whether the agent would be played by Stan, Bakalova or someone else remains to be seen.

And though you could conceivably see this as a way for Feig to finally realize the long-rumored sequel to ‘Spy’, it’s more likely the new movie is entirely unconnected, especially since that film was produced by the pre-Disney 20th Century Fox. And if Feig and co. were going to revisit it, you’ve got to figure the announcement would not be wrapped in such secrecy.

If the spy comedy does end up in production, Feig will produce the movie as well as direct it, with Stan also producing.

Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.'

Related Article: Paul Feig Talks ‘The School for Good and Evil’

If it all comes together, this new spy movie could be fun: Stan certainly has action chops and has also proved he can do comedy of different flavors in ‘Fresh’, ‘I, Tonya’ and his quippy back-and-forths with Anthony Mackie in his Marvel appearances. Bakalova, meanwhile, broke out in ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ and has since cropped up in the likes of ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, ‘The Bubble’ and the upcoming ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, in which she voices Cosmo the Space Dog (that will be in theaters on May 5th).

Bicks has also written for shows such as ‘Sex and the City’, ‘Divorce’ and ‘The Big C’, while on the film front, she’s scripted movies including ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Rio 2’.

Feig most recently released ‘The School for Good and Evil’, which debuted on Netflix and debuted top of the streaming service’s charts despite some very mixed reviews. He’s currently shooting ‘Grand Death Lotto’ a dystopian action comedy about a California lottery where the winner can legally be hunted down by other citizens, who can claim the prize should they kill the winner.

Awkwafina is starring as the current winner, who has to go on the run, with John Cena and Simu Liu as private bodyguards vying to keep her safe. It should be in theaters next year.