10 Movies Starring The Cast Of Ella McCay

James L. Brooks is back with a new comedy called Ella McCay, and it’s packed with well-known actors. This film marks Brooks’ return to directing after a 15-year break, and it continues his tradition of blending humor and heartfelt drama – something the multiple Oscar winner is famous for.

James L. Brooks isn’t just a skilled filmmaker; he has an exceptional eye for casting. Films like Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News are memorable not only for their quality, but because they feature incredibly talented actors who truly enhance the final result, making his movies stand out.

What I really appreciate about Ella McCay is Brooks’ smart casting. He consistently blends established stars with exciting new talent, and it works. You’ve got legends like Jamie Lee Curtis and Woody Harrelson bringing their experience, alongside rising stars like Emma Mackey and Ayo Edibiri who feel like the future of Hollywood. Honestly, everyone in a leading role has some serious credentials – it’s a really strong cast all around.

Julie Kavner – The Simpsons Movie (2007)

James L. Brooks began his career in television before becoming a film director. He was a co-creator of the popular animated sitcom, The Simpsons, which was later adapted into a feature film in 2007. Julie Kavner, famous for voicing Marge Simpson in The Simpsons Movie, also appears in the film as Ella McCay’s secretary and provides the narration.

TV shows adapted into movies can be unpredictable, but The Simpsons Movie was a surprising success and a standout achievement for the series. It perfectly captured the show’s signature humor and lively spirit, while also delivering a story worthy of the big screen. A sequel, The Simpsons Movie 2, is scheduled for release in 2027, twenty years later.

Albert Brooks – Broadcast News (1987)

Albert Brooks, who isn’t related to James L. Brooks, is a brilliant but often overlooked filmmaker. He was particularly memorable in the 1987 film Broadcast News, which centers on a driven news producer struggling to balance her work and love life. Brooks plays Aaron, a somewhat insecure reporter who competes for the affection of Jane, played by Holly Hunter.

What makes Broadcast News so good is its ability to accurately reflect how news was changing at the time, all while being a charming and funny romantic comedy. It’s a film that really defines the 1980s because it feels completely rooted in that period. Writer and director James L. Brooks also brought back Albert Brooks, casting him as Bill, the state’s governor, in the film.

Ayo Edibiri – Bottoms (2023)

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Besides her popular role on the TV show The Bear, Ayo Edibiri has built a strong resume with films like Bottoms. This funny movie follows two unpopular high school students who create a fake self-defense club to try and attract girls, but their plan quickly spirals out of control. Edibiri plays Josie, one of the quieter and more reserved of the two leads.

Just as Brooks’ movies capture the humor of their time, Bottoms reflects how comedy has evolved in the 2020s. It’s deliberately over-the-top and quirky, playfully satirizing modern culture without being overly harsh. In Ella McCay, Edibiri portrays a more realistic character, Susan, who is the ex-girlfriend of the main character’s brother.

Spike Fearn – Alien: Romulus (2024)

One of the things that makes Ella McCay interesting is its cast of rising young stars, including Spike Fearn. He recently appeared in 2024’s Alien: Romulus, playing Bjorn, a member of the crew who don’t survive. That film is set between the first Alien movie and Aliens, and it continues the story of the terrifying Xenomorphs.

While not the most innovative installment, Romulus successfully captured the spirit of the first Alien film. Director Fede Álvarez clearly understood what made the original so terrifying and effectively highlighted those elements. In Ella McCay, Fearn transitions between sci-fi horror and comedy, taking on the role of Ella’s brother, Casey.

Kumail Nanjiani – The Big Sick (2017)

Kumail Nanjiani is a well-known comedian, but The Big Sick is one of his most prominent acting roles. In the film, he plays a comedian who connects with his girlfriend’s parents when she unexpectedly falls into a coma. The movie skillfully blends humor and emotion, and Nanjiani delivers a fantastic performance, proving his talent as an actor.

Michael Showalter directed The Big Sick, but the script was written by Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon. This personal connection makes the story feel authentic, and the emotional moments are particularly genuine. Nanjiani’s ability to play different roles was something director Brooks appreciated, leading to his casting as State Trooper Nash in Ella McCay.

Rebecca Hall – The Prestige (2006)

You know, Rebecca Hall is one of those actors who consistently delivers, even if she doesn’t always get the spotlight. I’ve always been impressed with her work, and she’s collaborated with some seriously talented directors. For instance, she was in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, which is a fantastic film about competing magicians and this incredible trick they’re both obsessed with. She plays Sarah Borden, the wife of Christian Bale’s character, and she’s really good in it!

While generally liked, The Prestige often sparks debate among Christopher Nolan fans. It’s a really well-done look at the characters, featuring some fantastic acting, but it doesn’t get as much attention as some of his other films. Hall is a familiar face from Ella McCay, where she plays Ella’s mother in this comedic drama.

Woody Harrelson – Zombieland (2009)

Woody Harrelson has consistently delivered strong performances for the past four decades, and his comedy Zombieland is just one example of his many well-known roles. The film follows a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse by sticking to a set of rules. Harrelson truly shines as Tallahassee, a character with a particular fondness for Twinkies.

Released during the peak of the zombie craze in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Zombieland both celebrated and playfully satirized the horror genre. The film’s strong cast helped make its over-the-top premise believable, and Woody Harrelson delivered a particularly energetic performance. He plays Eddie, the long-lost father of the main character, in the film Ella McCay.

Jack Lowden – Dunkirk (2017)

While Jack Lowden is likely best known for his role in shows like Slow Horses, he was also in the acclaimed war film Dunkirk. The movie tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II in a unique, non-linear way. Lowden plays RAF pilot Collins, delivering a powerful performance despite having very few lines.

Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk stands out from typical war films by focusing on raw storytelling, avoiding dramatic embellishments. The movie is captivating even though it doesn’t follow standard modern filmmaking conventions. James L. Brooks was particularly impressed with Lowden’s talent when he chose him to play Ryan, Ella’s husband.

Jamie Lee Curtis – A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Jamie Lee Curtis is well-known for her role in Ella McCay, and she’s a very experienced comedic actress. She previously starred in the hilarious film A Fish Called Wanda, about a group of clumsy criminals trying to steal diamonds. In the movie, Curtis plays Wanda, a clever and seductive con artist who’s more intelligent than her partners in crime.

This movie is a hilarious classic from the 1980s and a standout role in Curtis’ career. It’s a funny, sometimes slightly naughty, comedy that really showed off Curtis’ range as an actress. With Curtis enjoying a lot of success recently, James L. Brooks made a great choice casting her as Ella’s eccentric aunt, Helen.

Emma Mackey – Death On The Nile (2022)

While Ella McCay could be Emma Mackey’s big break, she’s actually already had some notable roles. She was featured in Kenneth Branagh’s 2022 film Death on the Nile, an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, playing Jacqueline de Bellefort, a jilted lover and a key suspect in the story.

Kenneth Branagh’s adaptations of Agatha Christie stories are known for being dramatic and fun, and Emma Mackey completely delivered on her role. While Death on the Nile didn’t quite reach the success of the previous film, it showed that audiences still love Hercule Poirot. Now, with her leading role in Ella McCay, Emma Mackey has a great opportunity to become a well-known star.

2025-12-13 20:14