Way back in 2011, director Paul Feig was being praised for delivering the sleeper hit of the summer, with his ensemble comedy Bridesmaids going onto become one of the biggest hits that year. Cut to 2016 and he's one of the most divisive directors currently working in Hollywood for the sole fact that he dare attempt a Ghostbusters remake, with an all-female cast no less. While many fans of that series have decided to hate the man for his sheer audacity in rebooting a beloved franchise, it was two other monster comedy hits that helped get him here. One of those movies being 2013's The Heat. That movie was such a big crowd pleaser, and did such big business at the box office, that many assumed its two leads would be eager to return for a sequel. As it turns out, that probably won't happen. And it's all Sandra Bullock's fault.

We don't know where Melissa McCarthy stands on the idea, or why Sandra Bullock is so opposed to returning as FBI Special Agent Ashburn. Perhaps the character is a little too close to her Miss Congeniality charter Gracie Hart, who was also an FBI Agent and appeared in two sequels, the second of which was received quite poorly. There is also a little sequel called Speed 2 that probably isn't helping matters either. However things played out, The Heat screenwriter Katie Dippold explained to Cinema Blend that any chance of seeing The Heat 2 is just a sweet pipe dream at this time.

"Heat 2 is not going to happen, unfortunately, unless we can get Sandra Bullock to change her mind. And I'm still hoping she will. She's a lovely woman, a phenomenal actress and comedic performer, and I'm hoping she hears these words [laughter] because I really want to do it!"

When it opened in summer 2013, The Heat wasn't an immediate hit. It landed in second place behind Pixar holdover Monsters University. But good word of mouth saw it eventually reach $159.5 million in the states and another $70.3 million overseas for a worldwide take of $229.9 million. This was all off a $43 million budget. And since its release, it has gained a substantial following in the home market. So it's definitely a movie that warrants a sequel. And it was always set up for one.

In The Heat, FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is a methodical investigator with a long-standing reputation for excellence, and arrogance. In contrast, foul-mouthed, hot-tempered detective Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) goes with her gut instincts and street smarts to remove criminals from the streets of Boston. Sparks fly when these polar opposites have to work together to capture a drug lord, but in the process, they become the last thing anyone expected, buddies. While Dippold doesn't offer a reason for Bullock not wanting to return, Sandra had this to say in 2013.

"I know they say never say never, but right now, I can't imagine it. I don't want to ruin what Melissa and I had. If a miracle happens where [a script] shows up that really and truly outdid the first and provided an experience that was better than the first one, then I would look at it. But I'm not there."

Well, it looks like three years down the road, the Oscar winning actress hasn't changed her mind. Screenwriter Katie Dippold, who is a long time Paul Feig collaborator, is being kept quite busy with the launch of Ghostbusters at the moment. And she will next move onto an untitled action comedy that pairs Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as mother and daughter under the direction of Jonathan Levine. After that, it's quite possible that she'll dive right back into Ghostbusters 2, which is set up to introduce original villain Zuul. Though, that all depends on how the new remake is received at the box office this July. Right now, it's unclear if Katie Dippold will ever get to make any sequels. But it sure sounds like she's game.