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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our signature "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!
ALL FALL DOWN (ABC) - Alyssa Milano ("Charmed") has been tapped as the lead in the drama pilot, about a successful Atlanta lawyer (Milano) who returns to her messy family in Savannah, Georgia, with her newborn son.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Alyssa Milano, Mary Steenburgen
Writer: Rina Mimoun
Director: Lawrence Trilling
Executive Producers: Rina Mimoun
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
AREA 52 (NBC) - Bruce McGill ("Elizabethtown") has joined the cast of the pilot, a workplace comedy set at a remote location in the Nevada desert, where the U.S. government houses an extraterrestrial. He'll play General Keller, who's described in the casting notice as: "50ish, Caucasian. A military journeyman. He's seen it all and done it all. (He was the guy who came up with the idea of blasting Milli Vanilla at General Noriega.) Has a history of candor, which is probably what got him assigned to this Godforsaken outpost. That's fine with him. He'll make the best of it. Cynical? Hell no. He's making up his own reality as he goes. And working on his golf swing, because someday that little prick from outer space is going to kick the bucket and with any luck Keller will break 80."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Bruce McGill (General Keller), Jane Lynch (Irene Maloof), Matthew Lillard (Colonel Steven Isaac)
Writer: Mike Armstrong
Director: Dean Parisot
Executive Producers: David Latt, Dean Parisot
Studio: NBC Universal Television Studio
THE BIONIC WOMAN (NBC) - Will Yun Lee ("Thief") is the latest addition to the drama pilot, a re-imagination of the 1970s series with Michelle Ryan in the title role. He's set as Jae Kim, who's further detailed in the casting notice as follows: "Early-Mid 30's, handsome, skilled, wiry and lithe. He is a Field Leader who is second in command to Jonas. He can't believe Jonas is even considering making Jaime a field agent, but feels compelled to prove Jaime's skills to her, which he does by attacking her with a knife. She handily deflects him, stunned by her own abilities."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Michelle Ryan (Jaime Sommers), Will Yun Lee (Jae Kim)
Writer: Laeta Kalogridis
Director: Michael Dinner
Executive Producers: David Eick, Laeta Kalogridis
Studio: NBC Universal Television
THE CALL (ABC) - Danny Comden ("I'm With Her") has scored a lead role in the comedy pilot, about a group of unconventional paramedics. Said character, Nick Adams, is detailed in the casting notice as: "27-35, rakishly handsome, nicknamed "The Comeback Kid." He is so named because he has more saves than any other paramedic - in fact, he has the highest "save rate" of any paramedic in the city. Why? Because he's fast and he's focused? Sure. But he's also gifted - he sees the big picture, he's able to read the clues, pick people apart in order to strike at the heart of the problem. Since he's always the first on the scene, he's healer, psychologist, father confessor, and sometimes the judge and the jury in highly charged life-and-death situations where seconds count. Although a notoriously loyal friend and all-around decent guy, when it comes saving a life, Nick will lie, cheat and steal (even from his best bud) if it'll bring 'em back. He has an amazing capacity for gauging people and situations. He can give you what you need before you even know you need it - but he does it in his own time and on his own terms. He is ambivalent toward authority but hates bureaucracy." Comden previously inked a talent holding deal with the network last year (read the story).
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Danny Comden (Nick Adams), Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (Jenna "Kinky" Kincaid), John Francis Daley (Tom Timlin)
Writer: Dave Hemingson
Director: Michael Spiller
Executive Producers: Bob Cochran (Real Time Productions), Dave Hemingson, Howard Gordon (Real Time Productions), Joel Surnow (Real Time Productions)
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television
CARPOOLERS (ABC) - Newcomer T.J. Miller has landed a role in the comedy pilot, about a group of men who carpool to work together. He'll play Marmaduke, an unspecified character in the project.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Allison Munn (Cindy), T.J. Miller (Marmaduke)
Writer: Bruce McCulloch
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Executive Producers: Bruce McCulloch, Darryl Frank (DreamWorks Television), David Miner (3 Arts Entertainment), Justin Falvey (DreamWorks Television)
Studio: ABC Television Studio
THE CURE (FOX) - "C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation" co-star Liz Vassey is the latest to land a role on the drama pilot, about a pharmaceutical executive who quits his job to join a small organization that cuts corners to find medical cures. She'll play a member of said organization, a top biotech scientist.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Anson Mount (Darren Elliot), Esai Morales (Jorge), Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (Trudie Ericson), Liz Vassey, Oded Fehr
Writer: John Zinman, Patrick Massett
Director: Danny Cannon
Executive Producers: Akiva Goldsman (Weed Road Pictures), Danny Cannon, John Zinman, Patrick Massett
Co-Executive Producers: Brittany Lovett, Stephanie Koff
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
JUDY'S GOT A GUN (ABC) - Johnny Messner ("Killer Instinct") has scored the final principal role on the drama pilot, about Judy Lemen (Louise Lombard), a detective and a single mom. He'll play Gavin Lynch, who's described via casting notice as: "30s. A vision of heroism, "Steve McQueen solid, handsome. A lateral transfer from Baltimore. Action first, diplomacy second. Having trouble adapting to the suburbs." Charming, quick-thinking, Gavin's been in San Carlos for a month, partnered with Brad Wilkes. Gavin shares a spark of attraction with Judy, but an IAD investigation into Gavin's recent action on an arrest sours their relationship with misunderstanding. Having had trouble with anger issues back in Baltimore, Gavin is something of a hothead, but is clearly a good cop with good instincts."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Bailee Madison (Brenna Lemen), Colm Feore (Captain Ruttgauer), Johnny Messner (Gavin Lynch), Keith Powell (Brad Wilkes), Louise Lombard (Judy Lemen), Margo Harshman (Maya Spektor), Matt Lanter (Isaac Prentice), Michael Michele (Pamela Coates), Steve Sandvoss (Patrick)
Writers: Michelle King, Robert King
Director: Sheree Folkson
Executive Producers: Michelle King, Robert King, Stu Bloomberg (Cabloom!)
Studio: ABC Television Studio
THE MAN (CBS) - Feature director Simon West ("When a Stranger Calls") has signed on to direct and executive produce the LL Cool J-led drama pilot as part of a two-year overall deal with producer CBS Paramount Network Television. In addition, he'll develop his own series projects for the studio.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot (14-20 minute presentation)
Cast: Jessica Collins (Constance Brielle), LL Cool J (Manny "The Man" Baxter), Melinda Clarke (Lt. Brooke McClusky)
Writer: Anthony Zuiker
Director: Simon West
Executive Producers: Anthony Zuiker, Simon West
Producers: Jason Barrett (Alchemy Entertainment), LL Cool J
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
SEE JAYNE RUN (ABC) - Ava Gaudet ("Ugly Betty") and Stephan Rannazzisi ("Big Day") are the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about a tough and accomplished investment banker who tries to balance her career and motherhood. They'll play Jessica and Paul respectively, two unspecified characters.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Ava Gaudet (Jessica), Stephen Rannazzisi (Paul)
Writer: Alana Sanko
Director: Will MacKenzie
Executive Producers: Alana Sanko, Becky Clements, Peter Traugott (Brillstein-Grey Television)
Studio: ABC Television Studio
THEM (FOX) - Ben Feldman ("Living with Fran") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about an alien agent who must locate a rogue operative on Earth and finds himself tempted by the planet's offerings. No details about his character were released.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Ben Feldman, Rachel Nichols (Donna Shea)
Writers: David Eick, John McNamara
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Executive Producers: David Eick, John McNamara, Jonathan Mostow,
Co-Executive Producers: David Alpert (Circle of Confusion), David Engel (Circle of Confusion), Lawrence Mattis (Circle of Confusion)
Studio: CBS Paramount Network Television
TWO FAMILIES (FOX) - Carlos Jacott ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") and Samantha Bee ("The Daily Show With Jon Stewart") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about two sets of adult siblings who didn't know they shared the same father (Beau Bridges). They'll play twins from one of the two families. Jacott's character, David 1, is further detailed in the casting notice as: "Early-Mid 30s, Caucasian, Susan's twin with suburban good looks, not exactly a nerd. He sees his pursuits - tandem bicycle racing or non-contact boxing - as cool. But he was unathletic as a child and now overcompensates. He has two sisters and has learned to remove himself a little from their "girl drama". He tries to give the appearance of being above it all. He is a college professor, but probably not tenured." Bee's role then is detailed as follows: "Early-Mid 30's, Caucasian, David 1's twin. Susan is a bit of a loose cannon. Recently divorced from a man who turned out to be gay, Susan can be caustic. She has had a series of failed business. Her emotions are on the surface. Quick to anger. Begrudging in forgiveness. She is funny and honest which is why she was her father�s favorite. A lot of her emotional energy goes into the figure skating "career" of her 12-year-old son, Jared."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Beau Bridges (David Sr.), Carlos Jacott (David 1), Samantha Bee (Susan)
Writers: Barbara Wallace, Thomas R. Wolfe
Director: Michael Engler
Executive Producers: Barbara Wallace, Thomas R. Wolfe
Studios: 20th Century Fox Television, HBO Independent Productions
UNTITLED DAVID KOHAN/MAX MUTCHNICK PROJECT (CBS) - Brian Austin Green ("Freddie"), Jessica Capshaw ("The L Word") and Vanessa Lengies ("Monarch Cove") have landed three of the four lead roles in the comedy pilot, about two friends and writing partners, one straight and one gay (Green), and the women working with them (Capshaw, Lengies). No other specifics were given about their characters.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Brian Austin Green, Jessica Capshaw, Vanessa Lengies
Writers: David Kohan, Max Mutchnick
Director: James Burrows
Executive Producers: David Kohan (KoMut Entertainment), Max Mutchnick (KoMut Entertainment)
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
UNTITLED ELIZABETH MERIWETHER PROJECT (FOX) - Molly Stanton ("Twins") is the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about four single women as they adjust to life after college. No details were released about her character.
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Molly Stanton
Writer: Elizabeth Meriwether
Director: Jason Winer
Executive Producers: Dawn Parouse (Dawn Parouse Productions), Jeff Richman
Supervising Producer: Elizabeth Meriwether
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television
WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB (ABC) - Angie Harmon ("Inconceivable") has signed onto the drama pilot, about four girlfriends - a homicide detective, a medical examiner, an up-and-coming newspaper reporter and a young assistant district attorney - who solve tough murder cases in San Francisco. She's set as the homicide detective, Lindsay Boxer, in the project. Her character is further detailed in the casting notice as: "Homicide Inspector. Lindsay Boxer, 30s, is great at her job but bad at her life. Attractive without being fragile, she is bright, observant, and intuitive. Lindsay is still in love with her ex-husband, who left her because she put the job over everything, including him. She considers her three best friends - a group of like-minded professionals all with a passion for crime solving - to be her family. Lindsay's excellence at her job earns her a promotion to Lieutenant at the same time that she's coming to grips with the fact that her ex-husband is getting married again."
Commitment: Ordered to pilot
Cast: Angie Harmon (Lindsay Boxer), Aubrey Dollar (Cindy Thomas), Paula Newsome (Claire Washburn)
Writers: Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain
Director: Brett Ratner
Executive Producers: Brett Ratner (Rat Television), Elizabeth Craft, James Patterson, Joe Simpson, Sarah Fain
Studio: 20th Century Fox Television
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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