Hines to direct Shelly's screenplay

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Cheryl Hines is set to direct a dark comedy based on a screenplay written by her late "Waitress" co-star and director Adrienne Shelly.

Shelly was killed in New York last year.

Hines, best-known for her role on TV's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," plans to make her directorial debut by bringing her friend's script "Serious Moonlight" to the big screen, Variety.com reported.

"I feel a great sense of pride to be directing this film," Hines told the trade paper. "I had such respect for Adrienne and the work she did. And I love her writing so much. That tone is really in my wheelhouse."

Shelly's husband, Andy Ostroy, will produce the film, alongside Michael Roiff.

"I felt compelled to continue her work for her after her death," Ostroy said. "I think she was just hitting her stride with 'Waitress.' I tried to put together a team that was part of the 'Waitress' family to re-create the vibe and the success of that film and honor Adrienne and get her work out there with a group of people who really cared about her and (understood) her spirit and vision."

Roiff, Ostroy and Hines are now casting "Serious Moonlight."