Fox lands Abrams' 'Fringe' benefit
Date published: 10/9/2007
Zap2it.com
Fox has given a series commitment to "Fringe," based on a sci-fi spec script by J.J. Abrams and regular collaborators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
According to the industry trade papers, "Fringe" will now shoot a two-hour pilot budgeted in the $10-million range, a rather massive outlay putting it in the same neighborhood as the two-hour pilot for Abrams' "Lost."
The script was developed in the midst of pre-production on the Paramount reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise, which Abrams will direct. "Fringe" went out to networks early this week and Fox made a quick bid, which is also expected to include an episode license fee of around $2 million.
The show's main character is a young, female FBI agent (The Hollywood Reporter raises the possibility of Abrams' "Felicity" star Keri Russell as potential casting) who has to work with a brilliant research scientist and his estranged son as she explores unexplained phenomena.
TIM ROBBINS CAUSES SHOWTIME 'EFFECTS'
Showtime has ordered a pilot for "Possible Side Effects," a drama from Tim Robbins.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning actor will write and direct the pilot, as well as executive producing with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Daniel Thomas.
The "Mystic River" thespian won't star, though.
"Possible Side Effects" focuses on a family in the middle of the pharmaceutical industry and will head into the Showtime pilot race with "The United States of Tara," from "Juno" scribe Diablo Cody and producer Steven Spielberg.
'KYLE XY' TO RETURN FOR THIRD SEASON
Kyle and his adoptive Trager family will have more time to delve into his mysterious past.
ABC Family has ordered a 10-episode third season of the hit drama "Kyle XY." The show recently enjoyed its midseason finale and will return with 10 new episodes to complete its sophomore season.
The second season has improved on the ratings for the time period a year ago and recently won a Television Critics Association for best children's programming, beating out the likes of favorites "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer."
'GREY'S ANATOMY' CASTS MYSTERY WOMAN
"Grey's Anatomy" has already added one new actress to its cast this season, and now it's bringing on another for a significant role.
Lauren Stamile has been cast in a "major recurring role" on the hit ABC drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She'll make her first appearance later this season.
As with many things related to "Grey's," there's not much information to be had about her character. The HR teases that Stamile's character will share screen time with Patrick Dempsey's Dr. Derek Shepherd but doesn't disclose in what capacity, be it professional, personal or both.
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Date published: 10/9/2007
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