 |
 |
[05/12/08 - 06:53 AM]
Development Update: Monday, May 12 (Morning)
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
|
|
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!
CAPRICA (Sci Fi) - Eric Stoltz ("The Butterfly Effect") and Alessandra Toressani ("Malcolm in the Middle") have both joined the cast of the two-hour backdoor pilot, a prequel to the network's "Battlestar Galactica." Stoltz will play Daniel Graystone, a wealthy computer engineer who, after an emotionally crippling family tragedy, uses his technological wizardry to forever change the future of Caprica. Toressani then is set as his daughter, Zoe. The pair join the previously cast Esai Morales and Paula Malcomson in the project, which comes from Universal Media Studios and executive producers David Eick, Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore. Jeffrey Reiner directs.
CLASS DISMISSED (A.K.A. SIT DOWN, SHUT UP) (FOX) - The animated comedy, which received a series commitment over the weekend, has been renamed to "Class Dismissed." The project, from creator Mitch Hurwitz, revolves around the lives of seven staff members of a dysfunctional high school in a small northeastern fishing town. 20th Century Fox Television, Granada USA, Sony Pictures Television and Tantamount are co-producing the half-hour, which is also executive produced by Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum.
DOLLHOUSE/FRINGE (FOX) - FOX has issued formal series commitments to both of the much-ballyhooed hours. Joss Whedon is behind the former, which revolves around a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission. The show's ensemble cast includes Amy Acker, Dichen Lachman, Eliza Dushku, Enver Gjokaj, Fran Kranz, Harry Lennix, Miracle Laurie, Olivia Williams and Tahmoh Penikett. 20th Century Fox Television is producing while Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain also serve as executive producers alongside Whedon. As for "Fringe," said hour follows the exploits of a young female FBI agent who tackles unexplained medical and scientific phenomena. Anna Torv toplines the Warner Bros. Television-based project, which also stars Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, John Noble, Joshua Jackson, Kirk Acevedo, Lance Reddick and Mark Valley. Alex Graves, Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Burk, J.J. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner and Roberto Orci are the executive producers. "Dollhouse" is believed to be targeted for midseason while "Fringe" will likely roll out in the fall.
EUREKA (Sci Fi) - Frances Fisher ("In the Valley of Elah") has booked an eight-episode arc on the show's upcoming third season, due on July 29. She'll play Samantha Thorne, a.k.a. "The Fixer," a corporate titan who is brought in to clean up Global Dynamics. No other specifics were released.
MY OWN WORST ENEMY (NBC) - "Boston Legal" co-star Saffron Burrows has joined the cast of the Peacock's new drama, about a suburban dad named Henry (Christian Slate) whose alter ego, Edward, is a spy. She'll play Dr. Norah Skinner in the hour, who's detailed in the casting notice as: "Early 30s, beautiful without much makeup. She is a shrink and Edward's girlfriend who slaps him when she finds out he slept with Natasha, a Russian spy, during his mission to Paris. She runs a therapy sessions of sorts with Henry to make sure his memory is wiped clean of his time as Edward, and she's surprised when Edward asks her what Henry is like." Mike O'Malley also stars in the project, which comes from Universal Media Studios and creator Jason Smilovic. David Semel is directing the pilot.
THE PHILANTHROPIST (NBC) - "Battlestar Galactica" executive producer David Eick has been tapped as the new showrunner of the upcoming drama, about a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need no matter what the risks or costs. He'll take over for Tom Fontana, who penned the pilot and several additional scripts before exiting due to the creative differences last month. Eick, who recently inked an overall deal with "Philanthropist" producer Universal Media Studios, then will serve alongside fellow executive producer Charlie Corwin, whose idea the show is based upon. No casting has been announced.
THE PITTS (FOX) - The network has passed on the animated project, a revival of the short-lived 2003 live-action series of the same name about the unluckiest family in the world. The network went through two table reads of the half-hour before ultimately deciding to not move forward. 20th Century Fox Television nevertheless is already shopping the project to other networks, including ABC as a potential companion to its upcoming effort "The Goode Family." Julie Thacker-Scully and Mike Scully are behind "The Pitts," whose voice cast includes Allison Janney, Andy Milonakis, Dylan Baker and Lizzy Caplan.
VIRTUALITY (FOX) - "Friday Night Lights" creator Peter Berg has signed on to direct and executive produce the two-hour drama pilot, about a long-term NASA mission and a limitless world of virtual reality. "Battlestar Galactica's" Ronald Moore and Michael Taylor co-created the project, which is set up at Universal Media Studios. Berg's Film 44 producing partner Sarah Aubrey will also serve as an executive producer, where she'll join Moore, Taylor and BermanBraun's Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
|
|
|
 [may 2008]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[03/24/26 - 05:17 PM]
Production Begins on "The Koreans" - A Reimagining of the Critically Acclaimed FX Series "The Americans"
The series will stream exclusively on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States.
|
[03/24/26 - 04:31 PM]
Video: "Straight to Hell" - Official Trailer - Netflix
As Japan's most famous fortune teller, Kazuko Hosoki ruled TV and bestseller lists, but who was she behind rumors of spiritual scams and underworld ties?
|
[03/24/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Humint" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A South Korean agent hunts a drug ring in Russia and goes head-to-head with a North Korean operative - pulling both into peril and tangled secrets.
|
[03/24/26 - 01:55 PM]
Video: "When Hope Calls: Brookfield" - Season 3 - Trailer - Premieres April 5 on Great American Family
As Brookfield embraces a hopeful new chapter filled with growing dreams and new ventures, the community grows stronger together.
|
[03/24/26 - 01:01 PM]
Bravo Renews "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" for 15th Season
Teresa Giudice, Dolores Catania, and Melissa Gorga, will begin filming soon.
|
[03/24/26 - 01:00 PM]
What's New on HBO Max This April
Catch the debut of the fifth and final season of "Hacks"; a new season of "Euphoria"; and the original limited series "Half Man."
|
[03/24/26 - 12:52 PM]
Video: "SisterS" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Premieres April 22 on Acorn TV
The series returns with an all-new season April 22 on Acorn TV.
|
[03/24/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of March 16 - The Wait Is Over as "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE" Ignites at No. 1
Holding steady at No. 1 on the English TV list is "One Piece" Season 2 with 11.1 million views.
|
[03/24/26 - 12:01 PM]
Paramount+ Renews "School Spirits" for a Fourth Season
All three seasons are now streaming on Paramount+ in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Latin America, and Brazil.
|
[03/24/26 - 11:21 AM]
Tubi Announces New Original YA Thriller-Mystery Film "Remember Me" Based on Bestselling Novel by Christopher Pike
Based on the popular novel of the same name by Christopher Pike, the film joins Tubi's rapidly growing slate of programming targeting a new generation of young audiences.
|
[03/24/26 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix Casts Paul Walter Hauser in the Live-Action "Scooby-Doo" Series
Previously announced cast includes Mckenna Grace as Daphne Blake; Tanner Hagen as "Shaggy Rogers; Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley; and Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones.
|
[03/24/26 - 10:02 AM]
BTS Commands the Global Stage As "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE - ARIRANG" Draws 18.4 Million Global Viewers
The live broadcast from Seoul's historic Gwanghwamun Square reached the weekly Top 10 in 80 countries and secured the #1 spot in 24 countries.
|
[03/24/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix's "Nobody Wants This": Season 3 Starts Production in Los Angeles
Returning series regulars include Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons and Jackie Tohn.
|
[03/24/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Widow's Bay" - Official Sneak Peek - Welcome to Widow's Bay - Apple TV
A new series starring Matthew Rhys from creator Katie Dippold and director Hiro Murai.
|
[03/24/26 - 09:31 AM]
OWN's Expands the "Belle Collective" Franchise with "Belle Collective: Birmingham" Premiering on Friday, April 10
The new series will debut immediately following "Belle Collective" on April 10 and the show's season finale on April 17, before moving into the 8pm ET/PT timeslot beginning Friday, April 24.
|
|
|
|
