Just yesterday we learned that Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone, also an actor and screenwriter, had formed their own production banner and set up three new projects, and now the two continue their Hollywood takeover as they're poised to make their directorial debut.  One of the first projects McCarthy attached herself to after her breakout role in Bridesmaids was a road trip comedy called Tammy, which she also co-wrote with Falcone.  After a few directors became attached and subsequently dropped off—including The Help’s Tate Taylor—New Line has decided to tap McCarthy and Falcone to take the helm.  Hit the jump for more.

Tammy centers on a woman who takes a road trip with her diabetic grandmother (who drinks and swears like a sailor) after she is laid off from a fast food restaurant and discovers her husband’s affair. Beth McCarthy-Miller was most recently set to direct, but was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.  Variety reports that the studio also approached Rob Reiner to possibly take the helm, but a deal never materialized.

Given that McCarthy is incredibly in-demand at the moment (she makes her lead debut this Friday in Identity Thief) New Line didn’t want to risk pushing the pic back and losing McCarthy as its star.  No word on when production will begin, but this is most definitely a major win for McCarthy and Falcone.  The duo is also set to produce Tammy, and McCarthy will be seen later this summer opposite Sandra Bullock in the comedy The Heat.