Swank joins McConaughey in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’

(AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS)

Oscar winner Hilary Swank ( Amelia, Million Dollar Baby) has signed on with Matthew McConaughey ( The Lincoln Lawyer, Tropic Thunder) to costar in The Dallas Buyer's Club.

Based on a real-life story about Texan Rex Woodruff, who after he was diagnosed with AIDS, started smuggling alternative prescription drugs into the US for himself and others.

Since importing the medications illegally, the US Food and Drug Administration tries to stop him.

The film will be directed by Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallee ( The Young Victoria) for a 2014 release.

Swank will star in New Year's Eve with an all-star ensemble cast including Robert DeNiro, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katherine Heigl, Sofia Vergara, Ludacris, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, It's due in North American theaters by November 9.

McConaughey stars later this year in Bernie, a true-life story about a funeral director who murders a wealthy widow starring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine.

It is directed by Richard Linklater ( The School of Rock, Fast Food Nation).

RC