Aziz Ansari will write, produce, direct, and act in a film adaptation of Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End for Searchlight Pictures, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Gawande’s 2014 book, based on his own experiences as a surgeon, deals with the role of medicine in aging and death. A critic for Kirkus praised it as “a sensitive, intelligent and heartfelt examination of the processes of aging and dying.”

Ansari will make his film directing debut with the adaptation. The actor, known for his work in television series including Human Giant and Parks and Recreation, previously directed several episodes of Master of None, which he also created.

 

Bill Murray will star alongside Ansari in the as-yet untitled film. Youree Henley (The Bling Ring, The Lighthouse) will produce with Ansari, and Gawande will serve as an executive producer.

“Aziz Ansari is an incredible talent and, with this script, he brings a singular combination of insightful humor and pathos,” Searchlight presidents David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield told the Reporter. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with him on his feature directorial debut, which is long overdue, and, of course, working with the genius Bill Murray once again.”

Gawande shared news of the adaptation on Twitter, writing, “Being Mortal. The movie. Written and directed by @azizansari. With Bill Murray. I got to help as executive producer. All I have to say is, Yessssss.”

Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.