or


[08/01/03 - 12:00 AM]
Development Update: August 1
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:

A&E'S GHOST TALES (A&E) - The cable channel is looking to adapt several classic novels as original telefilms. Producer Robyn Rosenfeld of Three Muse Productions has inked a development deal with the network to head up the endeavor. Currently five projects are being considered for 2005 air dates however specific details have yet to be announced. Rosenfeld was one of the executive producers of "Creature Features," a collection of remakes of 1950s-era cult horror films that aired on Cinemax two years ago.

ALIAS (ABC) - Jennifer Garner is close to signing a deal with Touchstone Television to keep the actress with the series through its seventh season (should it run that long). The pact is expected to triple her current salary to about $150,000 per episode. Currently, Garner makes about $45,000 per episode and is locked in through the show's sixth season.

CELEBRITY (HBO) - Writers Arleen Sorkin and Paul Slansky ("Fired Up") have landed blind script commitments from both NBC Studios and DreamWorks Television in a pact valued in the low six figures. The duo recently wrote the script for the HBO pilot, which comes from Carsey-Werner-Mandabach and is executive produced by Steve Martin and Joan Stein.

PARADISE (Showtime) - Barbara Hershey ("Lantana") has joined the cast of the pay channel's drama pilot. She'll play Elizabeth Paradise, matriarch of a family-run multimillion-dollar religious ministry, and wife to David Strathairn's character.

TARANUS (ABC) - The Alphabet network is close to greenlighting eight episodes of the historical drama for the 2004-05 season. The project chronicles the power struggle following the murder of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. The network had previously committed to six scripts of the project in lieu of a pilot back in January due to the series' expected hefty price tag. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are the executive producers of the drama along with creator Thomas Wheeler and recently named showrunner Chip Johannessen. Much like NBC's "Kingpin," ABC plans to sell the project as a "limited series" but is open to additional seasons.

So far ABC executives have only okayed the hiring of Johannessen and some pre-production to secure soundstages in Rome. As for specifics, the series centers on Octavius, Julius Caesar's 17-year old nephew, and gladiator slave Taranus, both of whom find themselves on the run when Caesar's murderers target the former, who has been named Rome's next leader. Taranus' job is not only to protect the youth, but make a man and leader out of him. Creator Wheeler has written a bible for three seasons of the series that cover Caesar's succession all the way up to Marc Antony's steamy alliance with Cleopatra. An official decision on the Touchstone Television-distributed project is expected shortly.

Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters





  [august 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· ALIAS (ABC)
· CELEBRITY (HBO)
· EMPIRE (ABC)
· KINGPIN (NBC)
· PARADISE (SHOWTIME)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.