Jillian Bell on ‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’: ‘This Was the Movie I Wanted to See When I Was 13’

Jillian Bell takes the lead in “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” landing her first starring role in the Sundance hit.“I feel very lucky and the project feels very special, very near and dear to my heart.

We’re so proud of what we made,” Bell told Variety at the film’s premiere on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

“I feel lucky even when I get to do a small part in anything and to have this be my first title lead role, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”After stealing scenes in “22 Jump Street,” “Workaholics,” “The Night Before” and “Office Christmas Party,” Bell plays the titular character in the film, a young woman who finds herself prepping to run the New York City Marathon.

Writer-director Paul Downs Colaizzo adapted the story from the true-life tale of his best friend, Brittany O’Neill.“I just felt like I knew who she was.

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