Friends star to direct 'Fat' film

Schwimmer said the film script was 'funny and smart'

David Schwimmer, the former star of Friends, is to direct independent film comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run.

The film is about a charming but oblivious overweight man who tries to win back his former girlfriend by running the New York marathon.

Schwimmer, who played Ross in the long-running sit-com, said the film script was "too good to resist".

He will direct the movie for Gold Circle Films, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Schwimmer said: "I've been waiting for the right feature comedy to direct and am so happy to have found 'Run, Fat Boy, Run."

He added the script by Michael Ian Black was "simply too funny and smart to put down".

The film will not be the first time in the director's chair for Schwimmer.

He directed a number of episodes of Friends and is in line to direct several episodes of its spin-off, Joey, starring his Friends co-star Matt LeBlanc.