Louis C.K. to Direct and Star in 'I'm a Cop'

If you’re a fan of Louie, you’re probably aware of how much effort Louis C.K. puts into his FX comedy show — not only is he the writer and star, but he also acts as the show’s director (and, up until last season, he was also the editor). C.K. will pull off a similar feat with the new indie film I’m a Cop, which he will star in as well as write and direct.

THR reports that mega-producer (and one of the few people to EGOT) Scott Rudin is producing C.K.’s I’m a Cop, which centers on “a depressed middle-aged man who is a volunteer police officer living in the shadow of his mother, a highly decorated retired officer. When she dies, her continued influence forces him to become a real police officer, which is something he never wanted to be.”

That sounds like it has shades of Jody Hill’s Observe and Report, and C.K.’s work definitely carries some similarly dark, uncomfortable humor. A recent episode of Louie also dealt with similar subject matter, as he reunited with his sister’s ex, a troubled cop played by Michael Rapaport.

This isn’t the comedian’s first time directing — he also wrote and directed the underrated 2001 comedy Pootie Tang, starring Chris Rock. C.K. had some issues on that film, but it seems like he’s finally ready to give filmmaking another go, and given the success of his tightly-controlled FX comedy, I’m ready to see what he can deliver with a feature-length product.

In the interim, you can check out the fifth season of Louie, which is currently airing on FX.