Meg Ryan will be stepping behind the camera for the first time to serve as the director for the upcoming movie ‘Into the Beautiful,’ variety.com is reporting. The comedy-drama, which was written by Anne Meredith, has been described as a contemporary ‘Big Chill’ with longtime friends reuniting.

Wendy Finerman and Natalie Marciano will produce ‘Into the Beautiful,’ and Lisa Zupan is on board to executive produce. Finerman told Variety that production on the movie is expected to begin in September 2011.

While Ryan, whose recent starring roles include ‘In the Land of Women’ and ‘The Women,’ will be making her full-length feature directorial debut with ‘Into the Beautiful,’ she will not appearing in the movie, Finerman has said. But she thinks “this is the perfect project for (Meg) to bring to life. She’s poignant and funny and heartfelt.” Finerman hopes to begin casting soon though.

Written by: Karen Benardello