 |
 |
[03/21/11 - 10:59 PM]
Development Update: Monday, March 21
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!
ANGLER (HBO, New!) - Barton Gellman's book of the same name - about former Vice President Dick Cheney - is being developed as a potential mini-series at the pay channel. Rick Cleveland ("Six Feet Under") is penning the adaptation, which will track Cheney's life from "his early days as Donald Rumsfeld's protege in the Nixon administration, to the nation's youngest Chief of Staff under President Ford, to serving as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, through two controversial terms as Vice President under President George W. Bush." Spring Creek Productions and Fair Catch Productions are co-producing with Paula Weinstein, Jeffrey Levine, David Kennedy and "Frontline's" David Fanning and Michael Kirk executive producing.
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - Jonathan Cake ("Six Degrees") is set to join the cast of the long-running soap. He'll play Aaron, "a handsome, sexy, college-educated police detective with strong family values who becomes involved with Bree (Marcia Cross) when he comes to Wisteria Lane to investigate a case," in an upcoming four-episode arc before returning as a regular next season.
EATING WITH THE ENEMY (HBO, New!) - James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos") is set to star in and executive produce a potential docudrama at the pay channel about the true story of Bobby Egan, the owner of a Hackensack, New Jersey rib joint who became involved in back channel negotiations with North Korea to stop producing nuclear weapons. Said project is based on Egan and Kurt Pitzer's book of the same name, subtitled "How I Waged Peace With North Korea from My BBQ Shack in Hackensack." Egan improbably made inroads with the North Korean government after showing up at the doorstep of their consulate near the U.N. and offering his friendship. He subsequently made several trips to North Korea itself, where he was approached by the State Department to be their conduit in backdoor nuke talks. As for the film, Mark Armstrong, Nancy Sanders, Jane Rosenthal, Brandon Brito and Megan Lyvers will executive produce for Tribeca Productions and Gandolfini's Atta Boy Productions with Pitzer and Kimberly Levin co-producing. No other auspices were given.
FREE AGENTS (NBC) - Kathryn Hahn ("Hung") is set to star opposite Hank Azaria in the comedy pilot, about "the attraction between two quirky PR executives working together - Alex (Azaria) and Helen (Hahn) - who both are on the rebound, Alex from a divorce and Helen from the loss of a fiance." Todd Holland is directing the Universal Media Studios-based half-hour, from creator John Enbom. Mo Mandel also stars.
LOSING IT WITH JILLIAN (NBC) - Network sources have confirmed the Jillian Michaels-led series, in which "The Biggest Loser" trainer travels across the country to transform one family at a time, won't be returning for a second. Said effort was absent from the Peacock's summer lineup, which was revealed earlier today.
MORE AS THE STORY DEVELOPS (A.K.A. UNTITLED AARON SORKIN PROJECT) (HBO) - Jeff Daniels is reportedly in talks to topline the Aaron Sorkin-penned drama pilot, set behind the scenes of a nightly cable news show. He'd play Will McCallister, "a famous cable newsman of the Anderson Cooper/Brian Williams mold who is smart and talented guy but just a pain in the ass to work with and for." Sorkin and Scott Rudin are the executive producers.
PRIVATE PRACTICE (ABC) - Benjamin Bratt ("The Cleaner") is on track to join the cast of the veteran drama. Details about his role are being kept under wraps, however it's understood he'll be introduced in the season finale. Said casting is designed to fill the void left by Audra McDonald, who's departing the series at the end of the season.
R.E.M. (NBC) - Cherry Jones ("24") and Michaela McManus ("The Vampire Diaries") have both joined the cast of the drama pilot, about Mark Britten (Jason Isaacs), a police detective living in two different realities following a horrible car accident: one in which his son Rex (Dylan Minnette) lives, another in which his wife Hannah lives - each with their own partner and psychiatrist. In addition, co-star Laura Allen has been recast as Hannah ("stunning, warm"). The actress was previously attached as Tara ("long, slender, like someone who not only plays a sport for a living, but does it well"), Rex's tennis coach and trusted confidante. Said role will now go to McManus. Jones then is set as Stephanie Evans, Mark's psychiatrist in the reality where Rex lives. The previously cast B.D. Wong conversely is Mark's psychiatrist in the reality where Hannah lives, while Steve Harris and Wilmer Valderrama play Mark's respective partners. David Slade is directing the Kyle Killen-penned hour, from 20th Century Fox Television.
SECRET CIRCLE (The CW) - Natasha Henstridge ("Eli Stone") and Australian actor Louis Hunter have both landed roles on the drama pilot, about Cassie Blake (Britt Robertson), a California teen who moves to her mom's hometown of New Salem, Maine and discovers that she comes from a family of witches. She'll play Dawn Chamberlain ("a strikingly beautiful woman in her late 30's"), the vice principal at Cassie's school and an old friend of her mother's; while Hunter is on board as Nick Armstrong ("good physique, and he knows it"), Cassie's new neighbor, another member of the circle, a coven of young witches. Jessica Parker Kennedy, Phoebe Tonkin, Shelley Hennig and Thomas Dekker also star in the hour, which Liz Friedlander is directing from a script by Andrew Miller.
TITANIC (ABC, New!) - Simon Vaughn's long-in-the-works mini-series has found a U.S. broadcast home at the Alphabet. Said effort will chronicle the famous ship's maiden and final voyage through multiple points of view, using both fictional and historical characters. Production is set to begin in Hungary shortly for a premiere in April 2012 - the 100th anniversary of the boat's sinking. Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park") penned the project with ITV Studios, Lookout Point, Deep Indigo Productions, Sienna Films and Mid Atlantic Films co-producing.
VINCE UNCENSORED (CBS) - Elizabeth Perkins ("Weeds") has booked the female lead on the comedy pilot, about Vince Donohue (Michael Chiklis), "a man who decides to take a more honest approach to life after a life-altering experience." She'll play his Wife, Janet, a middle school teacher and mother to their three daughters. Kelsey Grammer is directing the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, from creator Phoef Sutton.
|
|
|
 [march 2011]  |
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
[09/20/17 - 01:18 PM]
A&E Network to Premiere New Nonfiction Limited Series "The Eleven" on Thursday, October 19 at 9PM ET/PT
The six-part limited series follows investigators as they reexamine the murders of 11 teenage girls after discovering a confession letter from current inmate and convicted murderer Edward Harold Bell.
|
[09/20/17 - 12:31 PM]
NBC and Hulu Bring Will & Grace (and Jack & Karen) to Screens Everywhere with First-Ever Streaming Deal for Multi-Emmy Award Winning Series
The iconic series will be available on the NBC app, Hulu and on-demand through satellite, cable and telco pay TV providers, beginning Thursday, September 21, one week ahead of the return of "Will & Grace" on NBC.
|
[09/20/17 - 12:01 PM]
CBS Gives 13 Episode Series Production Commitment to New Drama from Emmy Award Winner Dick Wolf for the 2018-2019 Broadcast Season
The new series, "F.B.I." (working title), is a scripted drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
|
[09/20/17 - 11:55 AM]
American Heroes Channel Announces Premiere of "Unabomber: 20 Years of Terror" This Sunday, September 24 at 10/9c
For 18 years, Theodore John Kaczynski mailed and planted handmade explosive devices, traumatizing the American people, claiming the lives of three innocent victims and injuring nearly two dozen more.
|
[09/20/17 - 11:16 AM]
Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland and Amy Poehler to Bring New Comedy Series to Netflix
The series follows a young woman named Nadia (Lyonne) on her journey as the guest of honor at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York City.
|
[09/20/17 - 11:03 AM]
Short Film "Tokyo Project," Starring Elisabeth Moss, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Shu Kakizawa, Debuts Oct. 14 on HBO
Exploring a mysterious romance between two strangers, the exclusive presentation is written and directed by Richard Shepard.
|
[09/20/17 - 10:40 AM]
eSports Docuseries "Chasing the Cup: Injustice 2" Launches Today on CW Seed and Machinima's Main YouTube Channel
The finale will air on The CW network as a one-hour primetime special on Tuesday, October 3.
|
[09/20/17 - 10:31 AM]
Nora Arnezeder, Gabriel Byrne, Justin Chatwin, Tomiwa Edun and Laura Fraser Cast in Crackle's Upcoming Original Movie, "In the Cloud" from Imperative Entertainment and Automatik
The 90-minute feature is expected to release this December on the streaming network.
|
[09/20/17 - 10:30 AM]
Fan-Favorite "MasterChef Junior" Judge Joe Bastianich Returns for Season Six, Scheduled to Air During the 2017-2018 Season on FOX
Additionally, Bastianich joins chefs Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi and Aarón Sánchez on the "MasterChef" season eight finale airing tonight.
|
[09/20/17 - 09:37 AM]
Aflac Dives Into the Animation Pond, Signing on as Sponsor of Disney XD's New "DuckTales" Animated Series
As part of the agreement, the two companies have developed a co-branded commercial featuring an animated version of the Aflac Duck set in the world of "DuckTales."
|
[09/20/17 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel, Grace Van Patten and Emma Thompson star in Noah Baumbach's latest film.
|
[09/20/17 - 08:37 AM]
Michael McKean Sprinkles Fact with a Dash of Fiction in New Season of "Food: Fact or Fiction?"
"A revered actor with impeccable comedic timing, Michael McKean is the perfect guide to walk viewers through the myths, mysteries, and magic behind the foods we all love, " said Courtney White.
|
[09/20/17 - 08:19 AM]
Tuesday's Broadcast Ratings: NBC, "Got Talent" Cruise to Victory
The Peacock easily tops the night among total viewers as well as adults 18-49.
|
[09/20/17 - 08:09 AM]
Lifetime Has Five All New Movies You Don't Want to Miss
Newly announced: "Oscar Pistorious: Blade Runner Killer" starring Andreas Damm and Toni Garrn on November 11.
|
[09/20/17 - 07:39 AM]
DIY Network Hit "Texas Flip N Move" Premieres New Season on Oct. 6
The series follows a cast of real estate risk-takers in the Lone Star State as they compete head-to-head to buy low, work fast and sell high in this property-flipping competition.
|
|
|
|
