‘Drinking Buddies’ Director Joe Swanberg to Make First Studio Film With ‘Work Wife’

Ever since making his directorial debut in 2007, filmmaker Joe Swanberg has quickly become just as prolific as fellow indie filmmakers Jay and Mark Duplass. Over the last few years, Swanberg has been delivering more commercial and accessible fare, including ‘Drinking Buddies’ and last year’s ‘Happy Christmas.’ And now he’s taking another big commercial step: helming his first film for a major studio.

The Wrap reports that Swanberg has signed on to direct ‘Work Wife’ for New Line, which marks a departure for the filmmaker—not only is this his first major studio film, but he’s directing from a script he didn’t write. ‘Work Wife’ was penned by ‘Trophy Wife’ writing duo Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins, and is described as a rom-com about two lawyers in their 30s who set out to see if it’s possible to date their co-workers.

Over the years, Swanberg has directed 17 films (16 of which he wrote himself), helmed a segment for horror anthology ‘V/H/S,’ and has over 40 acting credits to his name. Most recently, he starred in ‘You’re Next’ for filmmaking duo Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett, and cast himself as a lead in ‘Happy Christmas’ opposite Melanie Lynskey and Anna Kendrick.

Swanberg’s latest film is ‘Digging For Fire,’ which he co-wrote with star Jake Johnson, and which was picked up by The Orchard out of last month’s Sundance Film Festival. That film will hit theaters sometime this year.