Jason Statham, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne brought some star power to SXSW when they attended the world premiere of Paul Feig’s new film, Spy.

The trio, who star in the satirical thriller, joined the filmmaker at the arts festival in Austin, Texas.

Expendables star Jason, who plays spy Rick Ford, joked: “You have to tip your hat to Paul, he can get you to do anything. The end result turned out great.”

The comedy stars Melissa as a CIA agent, alongside Rose and Jude Law as spies.

“It was so fun to insult Melissa all day long,” Rose said.

Paul, who brought his breakthrough comedy Bridesmaids to SXSW in 2011, said he was inspired by the James Bond films.

“I’ve always wanted to direct a spy movie but I realised no one is ever going to let me direct a Bond movie,” he said at the post-screening Q&A. “And I loved working with these funny women, so I thought I’d write something with a woman lead.”

The 52-year-old filmmaker said he already has his eye set on a sequel.

“I think everyone can definitely come back,” he said.

Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy
Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy (Jordan Strauss/Invision)

Paul will reunite with Melissa for the all-female Ghostbusters reboot, which also stars Kristen Wiig and Saturday Night Live alumnis Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon.

He told E! he hasn’t made any definite decisions over the famous theme tune, saying: “We have ways to bring it in that we’re playing with, so we’ll see.

“It’s such an iconic thing that part of you goes, ‘I don’t want to change it,’ but then another part of you wants to update it. It’s one of the biggest questions we’re faced with.”