Mike Birbiglia Lands New Comedy 'Old Friends New Friends' With Patrick Schwarzenegger & Lucas Hedges

Stand-up veteran Mike Birbiglia raised plenty of eyebrows earlier this month when he abruptly backed out of several high-profile comedy tour dates alongside his frequent collaborator John Mulaney. At the time, the comedian dropped a tantalizing hint to disappointed ticket holders, explaining that a long-cherished "dream project" had suddenly come together and required his immediate attention. Now, fans finally know what was big enough to clear his calendar on short notice. Focus Features has officially greenlit *Old Friends New Friends*, a new feature-length comedy that Birbiglia will direct. The film marks his long-awaited return behind the camera for a narrative feature, ending a decade-long hiatus from directing movies. ## What is the plot of Old Friends New Friends? Official plot details for *Old Friends New Friends* remain strictly under wraps for now, but the studio has already locked in an impressive ensemble cast to bring Birbiglia's vision to life. The film is set to star Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges alongside rising Hollywood names Patrick Schwarzenegger, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Dylan Gelula. The new venture represents Birbiglia's first feature directorial effort since his critically acclaimed 2016 comedy-drama *Don't Think Twice*, which explored the competitive dynamics of an improv comedy group. He previously made his feature directorial debut with the 2012 hit *Sleepwalk with Me*, an adaptation of his popular off-Broadway solo show. ## Why did Mike Birbiglia cancel stand-up dates with John Mulaney? Before the film was formally announced, fans were actively speculating about Birbiglia's unexpected decision to pull out of his joint comedy performances with Mulaney. The comic took to social media to apologize for the calendar shift, assuring followers that taking the secret project was a rare career milestone he could not refuse. Now backed by Focus Features, *Old Friends New Friends* is gearing up for production with a versatile group of performers. Between Hedges' dramatic pedigree and the comedic chops of Viswanathan, Schwarzenegger, and Gelula, Birbiglia's ten-year directorial return is shaping up to be one of the indie comedy scene's most anticipated titles.