You might well have missed it (though hopefully its Criterion release helped you catch up), but gay love story “Weekend” was one of the best films of 2011. So we’re cracking open the champagne at the news that its director, Andrew Haigh, is heading to HBO, as the cable network has picked up a new show to series directed and executive produced by the helmer. Written by Michael Lannan (the short film “Lorimer“), it’s about a trio of young gay man in San Francisco (led by “Glee” star Jonathan Groff), and their lives and loves. A sort of gay, West Coast version of “Girls,” then? Sounds good to us. [Deadline]
It’s always frustrating to hear about a great project being filmed for television, only to taste the bitter disappointment when the channel decides not to go forward (I might get some haters, but I’m still sad “Mockingbird Lane” didn’t get a chance to shine!). Back in February it was announced that “Schindler’s List” scribe Steve Zaillian’s drama series, “Criminal Justice,” was shelved by HBO indefinitely. There was no explanation given, and little hope that the series would ever see the light of day. Good news because HBO has decided to retool the series and air it as a limited event. It’s assumed “limited” means a miniseries of some type, but regardless, Zaillian’s work will be shown. “Criminal Justice” stars James Gandolfini — returning to the network that jumpstarted his career — as a New York City attorney who decides to defend a Pakistani man accused of murdering a girl from the Upper West Side. The series is based on the 2008 BBC show of the same name created by Peter Moffat who will be writing all the episodes on this project. No air date has been announced, but keep your eyes peeled. [Deadline]
After her small role in the Michael Bay actioner “Pain & Gain,” actress Rebel Wilson will be turning to the small screen. ABC has picked up her series “Super Fun Night” during a spate of pick-ups in preparation for their upcoming fall schedule. Originally announced last September, the series follows Wilson and her friends during their “funcomfortable” nights on the town. The series has bounced around between channels, originally finding a home at CBS before that network dumped it. ABC has reconfigured the series and dumped original castmates Jenny Slate and Edi Patterson. The Deadline article doesn’t sound very impressed by “Super Fun Night,” reporting that the pilot “wasn’t perfect,” but that the studio couldn’t pass up joining forces with Wilson, whose star is on the rise. The network debuted a trailer yesterday, which you can check out below. [Deadline]