WASHINGTON: After carving a niche for himself as an actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman is set to make his directorial debut with a romantic comedy Jack Goes Boating. The film is an adaptation of Bob Glaudini’s Off Broadway play. The 41-year-old actor will also star in the film alongside actress Oscar-nominated Amy Ryan.

The play is described as an unconventional romantic comedy set in New York City, laced with cooking classes, swimming lessons and illegal drugs. The adaptation is the first to come out of a production deal Overture inked with Hoffman’s shingle, Cooper’s Town, last summer. “Phil is such a unique talent, and this opportunity to work his creative mojo not just in front of the camera but also from the director’s chair is just irresistible for us,” the Variety quoted Overture chief operating officer Danny Rosett as saying.