Rose Byrne Looks Back on Bridesmaids and Ahead to Going Beyond the Pines With Ryan Gosling

How is the energy different on a comedy like Get Him to the Greek versus Bridesmaids?

Well, the characters are just so radically different. Jackie Q was the wild, loose, self-obsessed, maniac pop star. She was very instinctual, would say anything she wanted, didn't have any filter. Helen is so uptight and strained and obsessed with status and talks down to people. She's very entitled. So the characters were just polar opposites and the experiences playing those different characters were entirely different. The method of improv and trying different things on set was the same though. So it was the same style but entirely different ideas. Russell and Kristen are both very gifted at improv and talented comedians, so that was also a similarity.

When you first read the script, did you know immediately that you wanted to play Helen?

I read it and I just said, "I'll play any of them." I loved the script. I knew all of these women. I knew the situations. I related to it. It was just so funny and at that point, Kristen was the only person attached. I said, "I'd love to audition for any of these characters." I went in for [Maya Rudolph's character] Lillian originally, and then my agent said, "You must take a crack at [Helen]." And I guess that worked out best.

I really want to see these characters again. Have you heard anything about a Bridesmaids sequel?

Not really! It's really something the press mentioned more than anyone else. I'll keep you posted, but I don't have any updates on that.

This summer was a particularly big box office season for R-rated comedies. Did you feel any kind of kinship or competition with Hangover 2, Horrible Bosses and Bad Teacher?

I don't think, really. Our success was kind of wild. When we did Bridesmaids, we had no idea how well it would do. You just really never know. There were no big stars in our film. We didn't think it had "surefire hit" written all over it when we were making it. The fact that it did so well was just a fantastic, surprising thing. I am just so honored to be a part of it.

Next up, you have Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond the Pines with Ryan Gosling. How is production going?

We're nearly done. We have a little more to do but we've been shooting in New York. Everyone's really great. Ryan's great. Bradley Cooper is wonderful. Eva Mendes and Ray Liotta are in it too and it's such a good cast. It's been really fun and very dramatic. But it's been fun to get to work with these people whom I admire.

Lastly, you have a wide-ranging resume but at this point in your career, which of your roles do you remember as being the most fulfilling to you at the time?

In different ways, every role is satisfying. I love doing comedy now but you can't really narrow it down. Damages has been incredibly fulfilling and being in New York and working with Glenn Close -- it's just a fantastic job to have. I'm blessed to be able to do it.

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