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Exclusive: Tfc Management, the company launched almost two years ago by David Stone and Ben Jacobson, has added The Fallout writer-director Megan Park, Hawkeye creator Jonathan Igla, and The Old Man co-creator Robert Levine to its growing roster of top writing and directing talent.

The Fallout, which marked Park’s feature directorial debut, premiered at SXSW before its debut on HBO Max earlier this year. Park is currently in pre-production on My Old Ass with Lucky Chap and Indian Paintbrush. She continues to be repped by Joannie Burstein at The Burstein Co. and Cohen Gardner.

Igla was the head writer, executive producer and showrunner of Disney+’s Marvel limited series Hawkeye, and he also worked on AMC’s Mad Men for several seasons. He continues to be repped by Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.

Levine, along with Jon Steinberg, co-created (based on Thomas Perry’s novel) the upcoming FX series The Old Man,...

Warner Bros. has acquired rights to South by Southwest award-winner “The Fallout” and plans to debut the film on HBO Max.

Written and directed by Megan Park in her feature filmmaking debut, “The Fallout” premiered at SXSW and took home the grand jury and audience awards at this year’s annual film festival. The story follows a high schooler who navigates the emotional fallout in the wake of a school tragedy. The cast includes Jenna Ortega, “Dance Moms” alum Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen and Shailene Woodley.

In markets where HBO Max is not available, Warner Bros. will distribute the film in theaters.

“Making ‘The Fallout’ was a journey I never expected to take and one that has changed me forever,” said Park, best known for portraying Grace Bowman on ABC Family’s teen drama “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” “If by seeing this film just one teen feels less alone,...

Warner Bros. Pictures has picked up global rights to Megan Park’s SXSW multi-award-winning feature The Fallout.

The pic will be released exclusively on HBO Max where the service is available globally, and be distributed by Warner Bros in the balance of international markets.

The Fallout follows high schooler Vada (Jenna Ortega) as she navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family and friends, as well as her view of the world, are forever altered.

The cast also includes Maddie Ziegler, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp, Lumi Pollack, John Ortiz, Julie Bowen and Shailene Woodley.

Park, an actress who starred in ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager and made the music video “Watch” for Billie Eilish, made her feature directorial debut here with Fallout which won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards for Narrative Feature at SXSW as...

Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the worldwide rights to “The Fallout,” a teen drama starring Jenna Ortega that swept the top prizes at the SXSW Film Festival this year.

“The Fallout” is director Megan Park’s debut film and follows a high school girl’s journey after the emotional fallout of a school shooting forever alters her worldview and her relationships with family and friends.

The film will be released exclusively through HBO Max where available globally, and distributed by Warner Bros. internationally. No release date has been set.

Ortega leads a cast that also includes Maddie Ziegler, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp, Lumi Pollack, John Ortiz, Julie Bowen and Shailene Woodley. “The Fallout” won both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature at SXSW, and Park won the Brightcove Illumination Award honoring a filmmaker on the rise.

“Making ‘The Fallout’ was a journey I never expected...

Exclusive: Universal Pictures Content Group is close to acquiring all international distribution rights to U.S. high school drama The Fallout, starring Jenna Ortega (You), Maddie Ziegler (West Side Story), Niles Fitch (This is Us), Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), John Ortiz (Kong: Skull Island) and Will Ropp (The Way Back).

Actress Megan Park (What If) has written and is directing the feature – which is currently in post-production – about high schooler Vada (Ortega) who navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy.

David Brown is producing for U.S. outfit Clear Horizon alongside Rebecca Miller and Cara Shine. Shaun Sanghani produces for Sss Entertainmen. Todd Lundbohm, Joannie Burstein and Giulia Prenna also produce. Pic was financed by Clear Media Finance, Sss Film Capital and 828 Media Capital.

LA-based sales and production firm Clear Horizon handles world sales and is inking the deal with Universal.

Monday, Aug. 31

Shailene Woodley, Julie Bowen Join ‘Fallout’

Shailene Woodley and Julie Bowen have joined the cast of Jenna Ortega’s high school drama “Fallout,” which has been shooting in Los Angeles.

John Ortiz, Will Ropp, Maddie Ziegler and Niles Fitch are also starring in “Fallout.” Megan Park is directing from her own script about Ortega’s character dealing with the emotional fallout from a school tragedy. David Brown will produce for U.S. outfit Clear Horizon alongside Rebecca Miller and Cara Shine. Joannie Burstein and Giulia Prenna will also produce.

Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival and the American Film Market, with Sss Entertainment financing. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.

David Newman, Keith Merryman Sign With A3 Artists

Writing-producing team David Newman and Keith Merryman have signed with A3 Artists Agency.

The duo previously teamed up on “Friends With Benefits,...

Exclusive: Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), John Ortiz (Kong: Skull Island) and Will Ropp (The Way Back) have joined Jenna Ortega (You), Maddie Ziegler (West Side Story) and Niles Fitch (This is Us) in high school drama The Fallout, which wraps its four-week LA shoot this week.

As we revealed earlier this year, actress Megan Park (What If) has written and is directing the feature about high schooler Vada (Ortega) who navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view on the world are forever altered.

David Brown will produce for U.S. outfit Clear Horizon alongside Rebecca Miller and Cara Shine. Joannie Burstein and Giulia Prenna will also produce. Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights, including at the upcoming Toronto and AFM markets, with Sss Entertainment financing. Shaun Sanghani will produce for Sss.

Park...

Maddie Ziegler will join You star Jenna Ortega in teen drama The Fallout.

Actress turned filmmaker Megan Park will write and direct the feature that centers on high schooler Vada (Ortega). She must navigate the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy, after which relationships with her family, friends and view on the world are forever altered.

David Brown and Giulia Prenna will produce for Clear Horizon, along with Cara Shine Ballarini. Joannie Burstein and Rebecca Miller will produce for The Burstein Co., with Todd Lundbohm producing for 828 Media Capital.

Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights, with 828 ...

Maddie Ziegler will join You star Jenna Ortega in teen drama The Fallout.

Actress turned filmmaker Megan Park will write and direct the feature that centers on high schooler Vada (Ortega). She must navigate the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy, after which relationships with her family, friends and view on the world are forever altered.

David Brown and Giulia Prenna will produce for Clear Horizon, along with Cara Shine Ballarini. Joannie Burstein and Rebecca Miller will produce for The Burstein Co., with Todd Lundbohm producing for 828 Media Capital.

Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights, with 828 ...

Pretty Little Liars alumna Troian Bellisario is set as the female lead opposite Patrick Dempsey in CBS’ Ways & Means. Phil Abraham has come on board to direct the political drama pilot from former Seal Team showrunner Ed Redlich, Republican political consultant Mike Murphy, Nina Tassler and Denise Di Novi’s PatMa Productions and CBS TV Studios.

Written by Murphy and Redlich, Ways & Means centers on a powerful congressional leader (Dempsey) who has lost faith in politics. He finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young congresswoman (Bellisario) from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create. Together, they’ll attempt to save American politics — if they don’t get caught.

Bellisario’s Claire is a newly elected, progressive, idealistic freshman Democratic Congresswoman who leads with her intelligence and straightforwardness. She’s going to have to figure out how to merge her idealism with her...

McDreamy’s got a new McLeading Lady.

Pretty Little Liars‘ Troian Bellisario has been tapped to star opposite Grey’s Anatomy vet Patrick Dempsey in CBS’ politically-themed drama pilot Ways & Means, TVLine has learned.

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The potential series, from Without a Trace Ep Ed Redlich, centers on a powerful Gop Congressional leader by the name of Conor Byrne (Dempsey) who, after having lost faith in politics,...

Amanda Warren is set as a series regular opposite Patrick Dempsey in CBS political drama pilot Ways & Means (fka The Whip), from former Seal Team showrunner Ed Redlich, Republican political consultant Mike Murphy, Nina Tassler and Denise Di Novi’s PatMa Productions and CBS TV Studios.

Written by Murphy and Redlich, Ways & Means centers on a powerful congressional leader (Dempsey) who has lost faith in politics. He finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create. Together, they’ll attempt to save American politics — if they don’t get caught.

Warren will play Jerlene Brooks. A former community organizer and progressive activist, Jerlene is a formidable Democratic congresswoman and rising star in the political arena. She wrestles with an inner turmoil regarding the price of power and struggles with her...

Amanda Warren has been cast alongside Patrick Dempsey in the CBS drama pilot “Ways and Means.”

In the pilot, a powerful Congressional leader (Dempsey) who has lost faith in politics finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young Congresswoman (not yet cast) from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create.

Warren will star as Jerlene Brooks, a former community organizer and progressive activist. The character is further described as a formidable Democratic Congresswoman and rising star in the political arena. She wrestles with an inner turmoil regarding the price of power, and struggles with her progressive roots versus the demands of leadership.

Warren’s previous TV credits include the CBS shows “Madam Secretary,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and “FBI.” She also recently starred in “The Purge” series at USA Network and has appeared on shows such as Apple’s “Dickinson,” HBO’s “The Leftovers,” and “Power” at Starz.

Exclusive: Rising actress Jenna Ortega, known for Netflix series You and Disney Channel’s Stuck In The Middle, has been set to lead cast in high-school drama The Fallout, which U.S. outfit Clear Horizon has launched here at the Efm.

Actress Megan Park (What If) will write and direct, with David Brown and Giulia Prenna producing for Clear Horizon, and Joannie Burstein and Rebecca Miller producing for The Burstein Company. Cara Shine will also produce. Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights with 828 Media Capital financing. Todd Lundbohm will produce for 828.

In the feature, high schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view on the world are forever altered.

Upcoming film roles for Ortega include Yes Day opposite Jennifer Garner and The Babysitter 2 opposite Bella Thorne.

Canadian Park’s debut short won the Grand...

It's hard to believe it's been five years since Patrick Dempsey exited ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

Now, the actor is lining up his return to broadcast TV -- this time at CBS, according to THR. 

Dempsey has been added to the cast of the pilot of the political drama Ways & Means, a project that was previously known as The Whip. 

The potential series finds Dempsey playing the role of a powerful Congressional leader, who finds himself working with an idealistic young Congresswoman from the opposing party after losing his faith in politics. 

His aim is to subvert the system he helped create, and together with this woman from the opposing party, they try to save American politics. 

However, this is all assuming they do not get caught. They are breaking a lot of laws, so if anyone learns the truth, they could spend a long time behind bars. 

The drama hails...

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey is set to star in and executive produce CBS political drama pilot “Ways & Means,” which has been ordered for the 2020 development season.

The project was formerly known as “The Whip.” Nina Tassler, the former CBS Entertainment chief, will also executive produce along with Denise Di Novi for the pair’s PatMa Productions.

Here is the official logline from CBS:

“A powerful Congressional leader who has lost faith in politics finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young Congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create; together, they’ll attempt to save American politics… if they don’t get caught.”

Mike Murphy and Ed Redlich will write and executive produce along with Di Novi and Tassler, as well as Tom Lassally for 3 Arts. Joannie Burstein will co-executive produce.

Patrick Dempsey is set to play the lead in a drama pilot that has been ordered at CBS.

The series is titled “Ways and Means.” It centers on a powerful congressional leader (Dempsey) who has lost faith in politics who finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create. Together, they’ll attempt to save American politics, if they don’t get caught.

The series hails from writers and executive producers Mike Murphy and Ed Redlich. Former CBS Entertainment head Nina Tassler will executive produce along with Denise Di Novi of PatMa Productions. Tom Lassally of 3 Arts Entertainment will also executive produce, with Dempsey executive producing in addition to starring. Joannie Burstein will co-executive produce. CBS Television Studios will produce.

The role would mark a return to broadcast television for Dempsey, who is best known for...

Five years after checking out of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey is eyeing a TV comeback in another hourlong drama — this time at CBS.

TVLine has learned that Dempsey has been tapped to star in Ways & Means (fka The Whip), a politically-themed drama from Without a Trace Ep Ed Redlich that has just scored a CBS pilot order. The potential series finds the erstwhile McDreamy playing a powerful Congressional leader who, after having lost faith in politics, finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young Congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create.

Grey’s Anatomy alum Patrick Dempsey is returning to broadcast television as the star and executive producer of Ways & Means (fka The Whip), a Washington DC drama, which has been picked up to pilot by CBS. The project comes from former Seal Team showrunner Ed Redlich, Republican political consultant Mike Murphy, Nina Tassler and Denise Di Novi’s PatMa Productions and CBS TV Studios.

Written by Murphy and Redlich, Ways & Means centers on a powerful Congressional leader (Dempsey) who has lost faith in politics. He finds himself working secretly with an idealistic young Congresswoman from the opposing party to subvert the hopelessly gridlocked system he helped create; together, they’ll attempt to save American politics… if they don’t get caught.

Dempsey and Murphy executive produce with Tassler and Di Novi via PatMa and Tom Lassally of 3 Arts. Dempsey’s manager, Joannie Burstein, serves as co-executive producer.

The project was developed...

Keri Russell is headed to a galaxy far, far away.

Sources tell Variety that the “Felicity” alum is in early talks to join J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which Abrams is writing and directing. Russell and Abrams last collaborated on 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III.”

The role calls for action-heavy fight scenes. Russell has shown her ability to perform tough stunts in projects like FX’s “The Americans,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”

Abrams and Lucasfilm execs met with several actresses for the role in the past two months and settled on Russell right before the Fourth of July holiday. Abrams will likely cast two more actors by the time the film begins production at the end of the month. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver are all expected to return.

Abrams helmed “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and was asked to...

Sheaun McKinney has been cast in Boss Level, joining Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts, and Ken Jeong. Joe Carnahan is directing the film, which was financed by Emmett/Furla/Oasis and recently picked up by Entertainment Studios to be released sometime next year. Written by Carnahan and Chris and Eddie Borey, the pic centers on Roy (Grillo), a retired Special Forces veteran who is trapped in a never-ending loop resulting in his death and must figure out who is responsible and stop them. McKinney will play Dave, a business college drone who meets Roy every day in Chef Jake’s (Jeong) Chinese restaurant. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian produced the film with Randall Emmett and George Furla along with Carnahan and Grillo of War Party, and Scott Free. Jules Daly is the exec producer. McKinney, who co-stars with Cedric The Entertainer...

Ian Lake has joined Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, Gary Cole, Kathy Baker, Ryan Keira Armstrong and Martin Donovan in the film adaptation of Garth Stein’s bestselling novel, The Art Of Racing In The Rain, from Fox 2000. It’s the story of aspiring race car driver Denny (Ventimiglia) and the loves of his life – his wife, Eve, their young daughter Zoe, and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo (Kevin Costner), who understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life. The film is currently in production with Simon Curtis directing from a script by Mark Bomback. Lake will play Mike, a friend of Denny. Producers are Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Dempsey, and Tania Landau with Donald J. Lee and Joannie Burstein serving as executive producers. Lake, who recurred in the Lifetime series Mary Kills People and The Girlfriend Experience on Starz,...

Gary Cole, Kathy Baker, and Ryan Keira Armstrong round out the cast of Fox 2000’s The Art Of Racing In The Rain, which has officially begun production. Milo Ventimiglia stars in the Simon Curtis-directed film adaptation of Garth Stein’s Nyt bestselling book about a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo, voiced by Kevin Costner.

Written by Mark Bomback, the film follows aspiring Formula One race car driver, Denny (Ventimiglia), and the loves of his life – his wife, Eve (played by Amanda Seyfried), their young daughter Zoe, and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo. Through his bond with his owner, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life.

Mark Bomback penned the Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Dempsey, and Tania Landau are producing the pic, which will be released via Twentieth Century Fox.

Gary Cole, Kathy Baker, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong have joined Milo Ventimiglia’s drama “The Art of Racing in the Rain” for Fox 2000.

The movie has begun principal photography in Vancouver. The project is based on Garth Stein’s best-selling novel of the same name, narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo who has insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life.

Ventimiglia will portray the dog’s owner, an aspiring Formula One race car driver. Amanda Seyfried will portray his spouse. Enzo is voiced by Kevin Costner.

The film is directed by Simon Curtis and produced by Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Dempsey, and Tania Landau. Donald J. Lee and Joannie Burstein are executive producers. The screenplay is by Mark Bomback (“War for the Planet of the Apes”).

Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler said,...

Deadline reports Cinemax has ordered the Micronesian Blues TV show from Banshee's Jonathan Tropper and Greg Yaitanes, along with Patrick Dempsey, who exited ABC's Grey's Anatomy after 11 seasons. Banshee, which Tropper co-created with David Schickler, recently ended after four seasons on the premium cable channel.Tropper is writing the Micronesian Blues "crime drama thriller," which will be directed by Yaitanes. They are executive producing with Dempsey and his producing partner and manager, Joannie Burstein. Justin Franklin is co-producing. The Micronesian Blues TV series is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Bryan Vila and Cynthia Morris (pictured above).Read More…...

Exclusive: Jane Levy has returned to Gersh, her former agency before leaving for Wme in August 2012. The onetime co-star of ABC’s comedy Suburgatory has since entered the film game with roles in Fun Size and Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead remake. Next up for her is Paramount’s Monster Trucks, the long-in-the-works pic that after a couple of release-date changes is now set to roll out March 18, 2016. She remains managed by Joannie Burstein and her attorney is Robert…...

Exclusive: Jane Levy has returned to Gersh, her former agency before leaving for Wme in August 2012. The onetime co-star of ABC’s comedy Suburgatory has since entered the film game with roles in Fun Size and Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead remake. Next up for her is Paramount’s Monster Trucks, the long-in-the-works pic that after a couple of release-date changes is now set to roll out March 18, 2016. She remains managed by Joannie Burstein and her attorney is Robert…...

Jaime Ray Newman (Red Widow) is set as a series regular on ABC’s upcoming crime drama Wicked City. Each season of the L.A.-themed anthology series is intended to focus on a case from a different era in the City of Angels. The first season follows a 1982 murder case centered on the rock-n'-roll, drug-fueled Sunset Strip. Newman, repped by ICM Partners, manager Joannie Burstein and attorney Darren Trattner, will play Allison Roth. The ABC Studios-produced series is set to…...

• Jamie Foxx will reportedly play Mike Tyson in an untitled biopic. Terence Winter is set to write. Rick Yorn, Foxx’s manager, will produce. The project is still in the works and is currently without a studio. Though HBO released 1995’s Tyson, this is the first feature film to follow the controversial boxer. [Variety]

• Dakota Johnson will star in the Luca Guadagnino-directed A Bigger Splash. Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes have signed on as well, and Michael Costigan will produce. The film, based on the 1969 French crime drama La Piscine, follows a triangle that develops between a couple and a...

Elle Fanning, coming off of a starring turn opposite Angelina Jolie in Maleficent, has come aboard to star in A Storm in the Stars, a period romantic drama being directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour. Amy Baer is producing the indie via her Gidden Media banner with Joannie Burstein and Rebecca Miller exec producing. Storm, written by Emma Jensen, tells the story of the passionate love affair between dangerously charismatic poet Percy Shelley and 17-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft, who would a year later write Frankenstein as Mary Shelley. (Fanning will play the budding writer.) The script aims to tell of

read more...

Joanne Kelly, who is finishing a five-year run on Syfy’s top-rated drama Warehouse 13, has been tapped for a major recurring role on the new CBS drama Hostages. She plays Vanessa, an ambitious ambassador and the sister of the First Lady of the United States (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Kelly is with Domain and Joannie Burstein. Heroes alum Jack Coleman has been cast in a multi-episode arc on ABC’s Scandal. Per Shonda Rhimes’ gag order, little is known about his character Daniel Douglas, who is a charming Southerner with ties to one of the gladiators. He’s repped by Domain and Framework. America Olivo (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark) is joining the cast of NBC’s midseason drama Chicago Pd as a recurring. She will play Laura Dawson, a businesswoman and wife of Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda). Olivo is repped by Vanguard Management and Talentworks.

Exclusive: The Secret Life Of The American Teenager co-star Megan Park has been cast as a regular on NBC’s midseason multi-camera comedy series Undateable, from Warner Bros. TV and Bill Lawrence’s Doozer Prods. The bromantic comedy centers on Danny (Chris D’Elia) and Justin (Brent Morin) — two very different guys who are bonded by their common inability to attract women. Park will play Nicki, the eternally optimistic young waitress who is a recent transplant to Detroit from a small town in the Upper Peninsula. She’s treated like a little sister by all the regulars at Justin’s bar, but Justin secretly has feelings for her. The role has been vacant since originally cast Aly Michalka exited before the taping of the pilot. Briga Heelan, stepped in at the last minute to play the role in the pilot as a guest star as she was the female lead...

Criminal Minds alumna Paget Brewster will co-star opposite Rob Corddry and Mason Cook in Spy, ABC‘s single-camera comedy pilot based on the UK series. Spy centers on Tim (Corddry), a well intentioned father of a highly intelligent and verbal son (Cook), who also happens to be his complete opposite, who inadvertently takes a job at the Secret Service in order to prove himself a worthy father. Brewster, repped by UTA, manager Joannie Burstein and attorney Joel McKuin, will play Erica, the mother of Marcus and Tim’s ex-wife — a cold neurotic person who has long been seeing therapists. The original series’ creator Simeon Goulden wrote the U.S. version, produced by ABC Studios and Hat Trick. Former E.T. star Henry Thomas has been cast in another ABC pilot drama Betrayal. Written by David Zabel based on a Dutch series and directed by Patty Jenkins, it centers on Sara, a...

Departing Criminal Minds co-star Paget Brewster is set to voice a lead opposite Patton Oswalt in Fox’s animated presentation Working Class Hero, which was ordered in February.. The project, co-written and executive produced by American Dad co-creator/executive producer Mike Barker and produced by 20th Century Fox TV, is set in a world where superheroing is just another low-paid government job and centers on Jeff (Oswalt), a dad whose powers are no match for his misfit superhero co-workers and demanding family. Brewster, repped by UTA, manager Joannie Burstein and attorney Joel McKuin, will play Karen, Jeff’s overly supportive wife. She is an Emt, and the family’s main financial support. She also saves more lives than Jeff on a weekly basis, but is kind enough to avoid pointing this out to her husband. Barker co-wrote Working Class Hero with American Dad animator Brent Woods and the show’s staff writer Jordan Blum.

After lengthy negotiations, Keri Russell has reached an agreement to star in FX‘s period drama pilot The Americans. Created/executive produced by Joe Weisberg, executive produced by Justified showrunner Graham Yost and directed by Gavin O’Connor, the project centers on two Kgb spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington, DC in the early 1980s. The arranged marriage of Phillip Jennings and Elizabeth Jennings (Russell) grows more passionate and genuine by the day but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. The Americans is produced by Fox TV Studios and FX Prods. DreamWorks TV’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, who started the development process on the project, are executive producing. The Americans marks a return to drama series for Russell, who became a household...

Future 24 writer Mark Bomback has been tapped to pen The Art of Racing in the Rain for Universal. According to THR, Bomback will adapt the screenplay from Garth Stein‘s novel, with Patrick Dempsey set to star.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is “centered on a family dog named Enzo who evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, a race-car driver named Denny Swift.” The novel spent upwards of 40 weeks on the New York Time’s bestseller list back in 2008. Dempsey will play Swift, and also produce with Original Film’s Neal Moritz. Tania Landau and Joannie Burstein will be executive producers.

Judging by Bomback‘s current writing history–which also include Live Free or Die Hard and the upcoming Wolverine movie–he’s definitely a hot commodity in Hollywood right now. Although his writing style isn’t quite my cup of tea, he...

Mark Bomback has been tapped to pen The Art of Racing in the Rain for Universal. Patrick Dempsey is attached to star in the adaptation of the novel by Garth Stein, which centered on a family dog named Enzo who evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, a race-car driver named Denny Swift (Dempsey). The book was published in 2008 by Harper. Dempsey is producing with Original Film’s Neal Moritz. Tania Landau and Joannie Burstein will serve as executive producers. Bomback got noticed for his work on Live Free or Die Hard and wrote

read more...

Jason Ritter has signed a development deal with Universal Media Studios to star in a new hourlong drama series from Parenthood and Friday Night Lights exec producer Jason Katims. Our sister site TVLine broke the news today. That means Ritter will stick around at NBC, where his drama The Event aired for one season, and also stick with Katims, who cast him as Lauren Graham's love interest last season on Parenthood. Ritter, repped by ICM and manager Joannie Burstein, will reprise that role this season on multiple episodes. What remains unclear is the fate of Ritter's former series The Event, which we reported last month was trying to find a way to land on its feet at sister network Syfy. Talks about the financial feasibility of moving a network show to cable did take place, but it's been quiet on that front for a while.

Olivia Munn and Alison Pill have now completed their negotiations for supporting roles in Aaron Sorkin's drama pilot for HBO tentatively titled More As This Story Develops. The project centers on cable news anchor Will McCallister (Jeff Daniels), who has his own show, as well as the show's female executive producer and staff. Pill will play Maggie, an associate producer on the assignment desk. Munn, repped by CAA and Mosaic, will play a sexy financial analyst on the same cable network as McCallister. Emily Mortimer is still in negotiations for the female lead of the executive producer, MacKenzie. Munn, who recently starred on NBC's midseason comedy Perfect Couples, was courted for several broadcast pilots this pilot season but opted not do any. She continues to be a correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Tony nominee Pill, repped by Wme and Joannie Burstein, co-starred on the second season of HBO's In Treatment.

Actor, Cory Hardrict, teams up with Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar, Machete), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight), and R&B singer Ne-Yo (Stomp The Yard) to save Los Angeles in the upcoming Columbia Pictures film, Battle: Los Angeles. Hardrict will appear in the film as a young soldier named "Corporal Lockett."

For those who aren't familiar with Hardrict's work, he has an extensive resume that includes roles in successful films like Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino," and "He’s Just Not That Into You" which starred Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston. In addition, Hardrict's television resume includes such shows as Dark Blue, Heroes, The Game, and Lincoln Heights.

Hardrict tells Iae Magazine that the film reminds him of a combination between Independence Day + Transformers + Saving Private Ryan + Blackhawk Down. Says Hardrict, "Once I read the script, I became overwhelmed by the desire to be a part of this movie. I had to be in it!

Vampire spoofers are signing! Jenn Proske has signed with CAA. She continues to be managed by Mark Schumacher. Chris Riggi has signed with Brillstein for management. He continues to be repped by Gersh.

Nathan Parker, who wrote the screenplay for Duncan Jones' Moon, has signed with WME.

Marlon Wayans has signed with CAA. He is managed by Lisa Blum.

Flashpoint's Amy Jo Johnson has signed with Joannie Burstein for management.

Texan Mayra Leal, who's most recent exposure came in Machete, has signed with Rebel Entertainment Partners.

Finally, we hear that Little Children director Todd Field has signed with CAA. He had been at WME.

Jason Ritter got his first taste of acting when he was a hyperactive toddler with a predilection for set-crashing. The overalls-clad youngster was observing the filming of a credits sequence for dad John's hit show "Three's Company" when he got bored, wriggled free from his mother's grasp, and inserted himself into the shot."They were at the zoo filming all of these little vignettes, and they were shooting Joyce DeWitt with a goat," he recalls. "I just wrenched myself out of my mom's grip and went over to pet the goat and essentially ruined what they were trying to do. But I guess Joyce DeWitt laughed so hard at that, and there was, like, a really sweet moment, so they just kept it in there."Ritter bemusedly notes that he apparently developed quite the diva complex about his initial brush with fame. He says with a laugh, "I just saw...

Mekhi Phifer, Matt Ryan, Greg Germann, Octavia Spencer, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Jeffrey Tambor have joined the cast of "Flypaper" for Foresight Unlimited says The Hollywood Reporter.

"The Hangover" scribes Jon Lucas and Scott Moore penned the script which is set around the bank that, due to unfortunate timing, finds itself simultaneously besieged by two different sets of thieves.

Patrick Dempsey plays a man trying to save the bank teller he is secretly in love with from both sets of crooks. Tim Blake Nelson, Ashley Judd, John Ventimiglia, Adrian Martinez, Rob Huebel and Curtis Armstrong also star.

Dempsey, Peter Safran, Mark Damon, Joannie Burstein and Tamara Stuparich de la Barra are producing while Rob Minkoff directs. Filming kicked off this week in Louisiana.

Mekhi Phifer, Matt Ryan, Greg Germann, Octavia Spencer, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Jeffrey Tambor have been cast in Foresight Unlimited's "Flypaper."

They join Patrick Dempsey, Ashley Judd and Tim Blake Nelson in the crime caper being directed by Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little"). The feature, which began filming Monday in Louisiana, was written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore ("The Hangover") and follows a man caught in the middle of two simultaneous robberies as he tries to protect the teller with whom he's secretly in love.

John Ventimiglia, Adrian Martinez, Rob Huebel and Curtis Armstrong have also been cast in the project. Mark Damon, Peter Safran and Dempsey are producing; Joannie Burstein, Greg Walker, Tamara Stuparich De La Barra and Gudrun Giddings are executive producers.

Foresight is also moving forward with the action thrillers "Recoil" and "Universal Soldier IV," which will shoot in the fall. The company is in postproduction on the thriller "The Ledge,...

After a year off, Ashley Judd will replace Liv Tyler as the female lead in the bank heist comedy "Flypaper" for Foresight Unlimited reports Variety.

"The Hangover" scribes Jon Lucas and Scott Moore penned the script which is set around the bank that, due to unfortunate timing, finds itself simultaneously besieged by two different sets of thieves.

Patrick Dempsey plays a "secret enemy" trying to save the bank teller he loves and proceeds to attack both sets of crooks. Tim Blake Nelson stars as one of the robbers.

Dempsey, Peter Safran, Mark Damon, Joannie Burstein and Tamara Stuparich de la Barra are producing while Rob Minkoff directs. Filming kicks off next week in Louisiana.

Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little," "The Haunted Mansion") is set to helm the indie action-comedy "Flypaper" for Foresight Unlimited reports Variety.

"The Hangover" scribes Jon Lucas and Scott Moore penned the script which is set around the bank that, due to unfortunate timing, finds itself simultaneously besieged by two different sets of thieves.

Patrick Dempsey plays a "secret enemy" trying to save the bank teller he loves and proceeds to attack both sets of crooks.

Dempsey, Peter Safran, Mark Damon, Joannie Burstein and Tamara Stuparich de la Barra are producing. Filming kicks off June 7th in Louisiana.

Keri Russell is mulling a return to television. The "Felicity" star is in negotiations to star opposite Will Arnett in Fox's comedy "Wilde Kingdom."

"Wilde," from Lionsgate and Tantamount, stars Arnett as a Beverly Hills jackass who falls in love with a charitable tree-hugging woman (Russell) who can't stand his lifestyle or values.

"Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz is directing the single-camera pilot, which he co-penned with Arnett and "Development" writer-producer Jim Vallely. Lionsgate and Tantamount are producing.

After her star-making turn as the lead on J.J. Abrams' series "Felicity" at WB Network, Russell was heavily pursued for pilots but focused on features, including roles in Abrams' "Mission: Impossible III" and the indie "Waitress."

She showed her comedic chops in 2007 during a two-episode stint on "Scrubs."

Russell, repped by Wme, manager Joannie Burstein and attorney Robert Offer, most recently co-starred in the feature drama "Extraordinary Measures."...

As pilot castings are starting to ramp up, Jason Ritter has landed the lead in NBC drama pilot "The Event," Zach Gilford has been tapped to topline ABC's pilot "Matadors," Todd Williams has joined Fox's drama pilot "Ridealong," and Aisha Hinds has been cast in the ABC drama pilot "187 Detroit."

"The Event," from Ums, is a thriller chronicled from multiple points of view that centers on a regular guy (Ritter) fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a larger conspiracy.

Ritter, seen in the Sundance movie "The Dry Land," recurs on NBC's midseason drama "Parenthood." He is repped by Icm and manager Joannie Burstein.

"Matadors," from Sony TV, centers on two feuding Chicago families, one in the district attorney's office and the other in the city's most influential private law firm.

"Friday Night Lights" co-star Gilford will play a third-generation Chicago defense attorney.

Gilford, who plays Matt Saracen on "Fnl,...

Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly have been tapped to star in Sci Fi Channel's two-hour dramedy pilot Warehouse 13, which Jace Alexander is set to direct.

Meanwhile, Paula Malcomson has been cast as the female lead in Caprica, Sci Fi's prequel to Battlestar Galactica.

Warehouse, from UMS, revolves around two FBI agents -- by-the-book Myka (Kelly) and rule-bender Peter (McClintock) -- who, after saving the life of the U.S. president, are relocated to Warehouse 13, a location that houses supernatural objects the government has collected over the centuries. The duo's assignment is to retrieve missing objects and investigate reports of new ones.

Kelly (Vanished) is repped by Domain and manager Joannie Burstein. McClintock (Crumbs) is repped by ICM and manager Ric Beddingfield.

Alexander, who helmed the pilot for USA's Burn Notice, also is directing the MGM film Day One. He is repped by WMA and Fineman Entertainment.

Set 50 years before the events in Battlestar, the UMS-produced Caprica follows the evolution of the Cylon race and the fight between two families.

Jason Ritter, Jess Weixler, Jesse L. Martin and Tracie Thoms are starring in Jay DiPietro's romantic drama Peter and Vandy.

Ritter and Weixler will play the title roles in a love story about the ups and downs of a young Manhattan couple. The film shifts back and forth in time from their romantic beginnings and increasingly manipulative behavior to their ultimate reconciliation.

Martin plays Peter's best friend, Paul, and Thoms plays his wife, Marissa.

DiPietro adapted his 2002 Drama Desk Award-nominated play, which he also starred in and directed, for his feature helming debut. Peter Sterling and Austin Stark are producing the project for Cook Street Prods. Matt Parker and Carly Hugo are co-producers. The film is shooting in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Weixler won a special dramatic acting jury prize for Roadside Attractions' Teeth at January's Sundance Film Festival. She is repped by Gersh.

Ritter appears in The Education of Charlie Banks and two upcoming Sundance selections, The Deal and Good Dick. He is repped by Endeavor and manager Joannie Burstein.