“Modern Family” star Julie Bowen has joined New Line’s “Life of the Party” and will portray the enemy of Melissa McCarthy‘s lead character.

New Line has given “Life of the Party” a prime summer release date of May 11, 2018. McCarthy will star while her husband Ben Falcone directs the film.

As with “The Boss,” McCarthy and Falcone wrote the script and are producing through their On the Way production company, along with Chris Henchy (“Daddy’s Home”). Details of the plot are being kept under wraps. The movie will be in the vein of the Rodney Dangerfield’s “Back to School.”

Production started last week in Atlanta. Cast members include Maya Rudolph, Gillian Jacobs, Debby Ryan, and “Animal Kingdom” star Molly Gordon.

Bowen has won two Emmys for her work on the ABC series “Modern Family.” Her movie credits include Rob Lowe’s drama “Knife Fight” and New Line’s 2011 comedy “Horrible Bosses.”

Bowen is repped by Paradigm and Liberman Zerman Management.

Popular on Variety