Hi all, here’s your Morning Update for Friday, February 26, 2016. Have a great weekend!
PILOT NEWS:
Stephen King’s ‘The Mist’ TV Adaptation Gets Pilot Order at Spike
Spike has ordered a pilot based on the famed author’s novella The Mist. Originally published in 1980, The Mist centers on a seemingly innocuous mist that seeps into a small town and subsequently creates havoc. Dimension Television is set to produce the project, with Christian Torpe (Denmark’s Rita) onboard as an executive producer. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/stephen-kings-mist-tv-adaptation-869554
Deadline: Pilot Locations 2016: Los Angeles Continues Rebound, New York Tally SlipsCalifornia’s new $330 million-a-year tax credit, which was expanded to TV pilots, is paying dividends as the number of broadcast drama pilots filmed in Los Angeles has risen for a second consecutive year. Following the dismal all-time low of five broadcast pilots in 2014, L.A.’s tally went up to seven last year. This year, there are 10 broadcast drama pilots shot in LA, plus one in San Diego. That brings the total of California-made broadcast pilots to 11, inching closer to the 2013 level of 13. http://deadline.com/2016/02/pilot-locations-2016-data-los-angeles-new-york-canada-1201706710/
SCRIPTED NEWS:
Diana Son Joins Selena Gomez’s Netflix Series ‘13 Reasons Why’ As Showrunner
Diana Son (American Crime) will serve as executive producer and showrunner on Selena Gomez’s Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which just enlisted Spotlight helmer Tom McCarthy to direct the first two episodes and executive produce the series. 13 Reasons Why, from Anonymous Content and Paramount TV, was created and written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey is based on the 2007 New York Times bestselling YA book by Jay Asher. http://deadline.com/2016/02/diana-son-jselena-gomez-netflix-series-13-reasons-showrunner-1201709770/
‘Creed’s Ryan Coogler Shopping Juvie TV Drama ‘Minors’
Ryan Coogler is teaming up with Charles D. King’s Macro on a new drama to be shopped to networks and other TV vehicles. Minors finds Coogler partnering with Destin Daniel Cretton and acclaimed poet/playwright Chinaka Hodge. The latter is writing, with Coogler and Cretton serving as series directors. Minors hopes to take a unique approach in tackling institutionalization, focusing on the children who grow up in the system — with the structure of the show documenting how the facilities influence and shape the kids over the span of a year. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/creeds-ryan-coogler-shopping-juvie-869591
Netflix Lands Jason Bateman Drama ‘Ozark’
Netflix is near a deal to pick up Jason Bateman’s drama Ozark, which hails from Media Rights Capital. Ozark is set in the world of drug-money laundering and takes its name from the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Bateman will direct, exec produce and star as a family man who moves from the city to the Lake of the Ozarks to begin repaying the money-laundering debt he owes to a ruthless drug lord. The series was created by Bill Dubuque (The Judge), who is onboard as writer and exec producer alongside Bateman and Mark Williams. Chris Mundy (Low Winter Sun) will serve as showrunner. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/netflix-lands-jason-bateman-drama-861319
‘Walking Dead’ Creator Sells End of the World Drama Series
Robert Kirkman and his Skybound Entertainment has sold drama Five Year to Korean streaming service Viki. Based on an original story, the pre-apocalyptic series centers on a family living under the threat of a deadly meteor headed toward Earth. It will be filmed as a Korean drama. Viki has handed out a 16-episode order. The series will take place over five years, with Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment president and co-founder David Alpert overseeing the drama. A premiere date has not been determined. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-creator-sells-end-869459
‘Bones’ Renewed for 12th and Final SeasonThe long-running Fox procedural will return for a 12-episode farewell. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bones-renewed-12th-final-season-869665
(sched) Fox’s David Shore Drama ‘Houdini & Doyle’ to Premiere in May
Fox has slotted its new mystery adventure series “Houdini & Doyle,” from “House” creator David Shore and starring Michael Weston and Stephen Mangan, for Mondays this spring. The 10-episode drama will bow May 2 at 9 p.m., following “Gotham” and one week after current 9 p.m. series “Lucifer” ends its first season. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/fox-david-shore-drama-houdini-doyle-premiere-1201714963/
(review) TVGuide: Has Black-ish Become Network TV’s Best Sitcom?This week’s episode of Black-ishreminded me of an idea that’s been bouncing around my head for some time: Is Black-ish the best network comedy on television now? …There are other good comedies on network television, of course. There’s The Goldbergs, which airs an hour before Black-ish on ABC’s incredibly sturdy Wednesday night comedy block. …But Black-ish is able to go deep, be funny, and identify as a sweet family comedy. Is Black-ish the best network comedy? It’s looking like it. http://www.tvguide.com/news/has-black-ish-become-network-tvs-best-sitcom/
CASTING NEWS:
Katey Sagal to Star in CBS Family Comedy PilotThe ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Bastard Executioner’ alum will return to comedy with a starring role in the network’s take on Australian format ‘Upper Middle Bogen.‘ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/katey-sagal-star-cbs-family-869637
Marvel Finds Its ‘Iron Fist’ in ‘Game of Thrones’ Star
Finn Jones will take the lead in the Netflix drama series. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvel-finds-iron-fist-game-869646
Judy Greer to Star in Fox Human Resources Comedy PilotThe untitled comedy hails from ‘Red Oaks’ writer Laura Steinel. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/judy-greer-star-fox-human-869780
‘Mad Men’s’ Vincent Kartheiser Boards Hulu Comedy ‘Casual’He’ll recur on the Golden Globe-nominated comedy from Jason Reitman. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mad-mens-vincent-kartheiser-boards-869702
FEATURE NEWS:
James Mangold To Helm Disney’s ‘Captain Nemo’Director James Mangoldhas boarded Captain Nemo, an origin story based on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea that has Sebastian Gutierrez working on the latest draft. http://deadline.com/2016/02/james-mangold-direct-captain-nemo-disney-20000-leagues-under-the-sea-wolverine-1201709272/
NEW MEDIA NEWS:
Netflix Aims for Family-Friendly Nostalgia With New SlateStarting with “Fuller House” on Friday, the streaming service has lined up a series of shows harking back to the ’80s and ’90s, meant for family watching. Cindy Holland said Netflix decided to go all-in after taking a look at rival networks’ programming and surveying trends on its own service. She said family-friendly fare from the 1980s like “The Karate Kid” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” was getting a strong response on Netflix. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/business/media/netflix-aims-for-family-friendly-nostalgia-with-new-slate.html
Disney’s Maker Studios Funding Original Series From Digital Creators
Maker Studios, the short-form digital studio owned by Disney, is opening its wallet to produce original entertainment programming — from talent both within and outside its network of 60,000 creators. Under the new Maker Studios Spark program, the company invited creators to pitch original concepts. From those submissions, Maker picked the most promising concepts and is producing them as series or cross-platform franchises. Initially, it is working with a group of 34 Maker-affiliated creators and has greenlit more than 100 additional concepts. http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/maker-studios-content-funding-sparks-1201714970/
EXECUTIVE / TALENT NEWS:
Fusion Hires Former AJ+ Exec Jigar Mehta to Kickstart Online Video Plans
Fusion wants to get serious about online video, which is why the network just hired one of the masterminds behind Al Jazeera’s AJ+ offshoot: Jigar Mehta, who until recently headed engagement at AJ+, is joining the cable network as VP of digital operations. http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/fusion-video-hire-jigar-mehta-ajplus-1201714144/
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS:
NYT: TV Networks Recast the Role of CommercialsIn the face of growing fears about cord-cutting and ratings declines, networks are rethinking their advertising strategies. …The television industry’s fledgling efforts to make the traditional television viewing experience less commercial-heavy have resonated with marketers and advertising agencies. Ms. Speciale says her company’s plans to reduce the ad load on its networks have garnered kudos from clients, even before any changes have fully taken shape. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/27/business/media/tv-networks-recast-the-role-of-commercials.html
The Morning Update 