[08/30/11 - 11:17 PM] Development Update: Tuesday, August 30 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!
DA BRICK (HBO) - The proposed boxing drama, about an up-and-coming Newark boxer and his crew, from Doug Ellin, Spike Lee, Mike Tyson and John Ridley has been ordered to pilot by the pay channel. Lee will direct the project from a script by Ridley, which is loosely inspired by aspects of Tyson's youth, with Ellin and Tyson executive producing alongside Ellin's producing partner Jim Lefkowitz. Tyson's wife Lakiha Tyson and SpiceReel Productions' Azim Spicer will als serve as co-executive producers. Casting is underway. (Deadline.com)DA VINCI'S DEMONS (Starz) - David S. Goyer's look at the early years of the famous Renaissance Man Leonardo Da Vinci is inching closer to series. BBC Worldwide Productions, which recently signed a multi-year production deal with the network, is reportedly sending out feelers for potential staff writers. No other details were released. (Deadline.com)HANGTOWN (ABC, New!) - "Caprica" alumnus Matt Roberts is developing a new period drama at the Alphabet about an instinct-driven marshal, a forensics-acolyte doctor and a passionate female dime store novelist who solve crimes together in a lawless frontier town circa the early 1900s. Ronald D. Moore is supervising the hour, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television. (Deadline.com)TRANSPORTER (Cinemax) - Executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie have reportedly bowed out as showrunners of the upcoming drama over creative differences. Director/producer Steven Shill will take over said role as filming continues on episodes four and five in Toronto while fellow executive producers Luc Besson, Fred Fuchs and Robert Cooper find a permanent replacement. No other specifics were given. (Deadline.com)UNDER THE DOME (Showtime, New!) - Stephen King's novel, about "locals at a Maine vacation spot who battle one another when a force field suddenly surrounds their town and cuts them off from the rest of the world," is being developed for the small screen by Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Television. King, Spielberg and DreamWorks principals Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will then executive produce alongside a yet-to-be-determined writer. (Deadline.com)UNTITLED JENNIFER CRITTENDEN/GABRIELLE ALLAN PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan ("What's Your Number?") are developing a new comedy at the Alphabet about "a super cool 1990s all-girl band who, after 20 years of bad blood, tries to reunite though they're no longer girls and no longer cool." The duo are writing and executive producing the half-hour for ABC Studios, where they have an overall deal. The report further details the project as revolving "around the band of four women, their 20-year-old manager/production assistant on 'Two and a Half Men' who happens to be the son of their former manager and a documentarian who, much like 'Spinal Tap,' will also be seen on-screen." (THR.com)AND IN OTHER NEWS... - "Community's" Danny Pudi is set to cameo in the fifth episode of "Chuck's" upcoming final season (AOLTV.com); James Patrick Stewart will visit "Supernatural's" sixth episode as a new adversary named Richard Roman (EW.com); Ty Burrell's fellow "Back to You" alum Josh Gad will turn up on "Modern Family" as a neighbor of the Dunphys who worships Burrell's Phil (EW.com); Courtney Thorne-Smith will return to "Two and a Half Men" as Jon Cryer's old flame Lyndsey McElroy (EW.com); Jason Priestley and William Schallert have been cast in A&E's "Bag of Bones" as Pierce Brosnan's literary agent and Melissa George's father-in-law (EW.com); Michael Cassidy will guest as Chelsea's unfortunately crimson-haired suitor on the revamped pilot for NBC's "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea", taking over for Jake McDorman, who in turn is taking over for Jo Koy (TVLine.com); Swedish actress Helena Mattsson will recur on "Nikita" as a sophisticated political figure with has a complicated past with Shane West's Michael (TVGuide.com); Jaleel White and Michael Paré are bound for the season premiere of "House"(TVLine.com); plus Alexander Nifong and Shane Coffey have both booked roles on winter season of "Pretty Little Liars"(THR.com).
