Maya Erskine is having a major moment, and we are totally here for it.
Fresh off her Emmy-worthy turn as the lethal yet lovable Jane in Amazon MGM Studios’ Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Erskine is officially stepping into a new arena: the director’s chair. The actress is set to make her feature film directorial debut with an untitled teen comedy for A, and the industry is already buzzing.
The project is sparking a massive wave of excitement on social media, with fans on X and TikTok celebrating the “Erskine Renaissance.” After her hilarious and cringe-inducing success with Pen, fans know she is the undisputed queen of the coming-of-age genre.
But this isn’t just any indie flick. The film is being produced by Fruit Tree—the powerhouse production company led by Oscar-winner Emma Stone, Dave McCary, and Ali Herting. Ley Line Entertainment’s Tim Headington and Theresa Steele Page are also on board to produce and co-finance.
While the plot details are being kept tightly under wraps (very “Jane Smith” of her, right?), the back-story of how the film landed at A is already Hollywood legend.
The script, written by Morgan Lehmann, reportedly sparked a “heated bidding war.” In an industry where comedies usually need big names attached to even get a look, this spec script was so impressive it caught the eye of multiple major studios all on its own.
However, it was Erskine who sealed the deal. Insiders say that although she hasn’t helmed a full-length feature yet, her pitch for the film “blew away” the studio and producers.
It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to her loyal followers. Erskine famously co-created, wrote, and directed episodes of the hit Hulu series Pen, proving she has a sharp, unique eye for the chaotic reality of being a teenager.
“I trust Maya Erskine with my life and my teenage trauma,” one fan joked on social media following the announcement. Another added, “Maya Erskine + A + Emma Stone? This is literally a dream team.”
The news comes at a busy time for the star. Just recently, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that Erskine and her co-star Donald Glover will be reprising their roles for Mr. & Mrs. Smith Season .
Production for the high-stakes spy series is currently underway in Los Angeles after a delay last year, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the duo. Erskine will also be stepping up as an Executive Producer for the second season.
Whether she’s dodging bullets alongside Donald Glover or navigating the halls of high school through a lens, Maya Erskine is proving she is one of the most versatile forces in Hollywood today.
Between her Emmy-nominated writing and her powerhouse acting, her transition to feature directing feels like a natural—and thrilling—next step. We’ll be waiting impatiently for a trailer!
