Jeff Daniels is set to join Aaron Sorkin‘s first post-‘Social Network‘ project with his return to television in a signature behind-the-scenes look into the world of cable news programs tentatively titled “More As The Story Develops.”
The actor is still only in talks but is slated for the lead role as “the host of his own show who, from the network perspective, can be difficult to handle” a part that is alleged to be a mixture of anchors including Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews and Ed Schultz, Sorkin having shadowed a few of them during a research phase for the show at MSNBC, CNN and Fox. The project also reunites the recent Academy Award winner with his ‘Social Network’ producer, Scott Rudin.
“More As The Story Develops” is expected to be in the same wheelhouse as Sorkin’s previous television ventures which saw him tackle the behind-the-scenes operations of a sports show (“Sports Night“) and a live sketch comedy show (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip“) with the role making for Daniels’ first major lead in quite some time. Recent years have seen the actor take on more supporting roles with the likes of “Good Night, And Good Luck,” “State Of Play,” “Howl” and “The Squid And The Whale” — the latter of which saw Daniels nominated for a Golden Globe under the helm of Noah Baumbach.
Production on the show’s pilot is set to begin later this year with HBO reportedly eyeing it as an addition to their stable of edgy dramas, which has just lost “Big Love.” And that’s not all Sorkin has cooking. He’s also eyeing a planned directorial debut with an adaptation of the memoirs by John Edwards‘ political aide Andrew Young which centers on Edwards’ 2008 presidential run and the subsequent scandal which marred his attempts to be Barack Obama‘s running mate.
