Spike TV Orders Two-Hour Pilot from MGM to be Directed by Walter Hill
Original Scripted Pilot Focuses On Irish Gang Warfare in Boston
NEW YORK, Oct. 8 -- Spike TV has ordered an untitled
two-hour pilot based on the Irish Mob in Boston from MGM Television
Entertainment (MGM), and will go into production late this fall with an
option to go to series. Emmy(R) and DGA award-winning director Walter Hill
will serve as director of the pilot. Chris Bertolini ("The General's
Daughter," Battle: Los Angeles) wrote the script. The original drama is
executive produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) President Dana
White and Tom Lynch and the Tom Lynch Company.
Scheduled to shoot on location in Boston, the story revolves around the
explosive fallout that occurs when a Boston mob boss abruptly vacates his
position and various rival factions face off in an epic battle to control
the streets.
The production team also includes Gary Stephenson and Richard Bullock
who will serve as producers. Sheila Jaffe ("The Sopranos," "Entourage")
will serve as casting director.
During the course of his remarkable career, Hill has been a writer,
director and producer on projects ranging from classic westerns to
action-packed thrillers and buddy comedies, all marked with his visceral
style. Hill most recently directed AMC's critically-acclaimed and
Emmy(R)-award winning miniseries "Broken Trail," for which he won the Emmy
Award(R) for producing and was nominated for Outstanding Directing For a
Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special. Hill won the DGA award for "Broken
Trail," and was honored with Emmy and DGA awards for his work on the pilot
of the groundbreaking neo-western "Deadwood" for HBO. Hill is represented
by ICM.
This movie marks the first ever scripted project for White, who helms
the world's fastest growing sports organization, the UFC, and hosts Spike
TV's wildly popular series, "The Ultimate Fighter."
Bill McGoldrick, senior vice president, development, is Spike TV's
executive in charge of production. For MGM, production is being managed by
Chris Ottinger, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Television Group.
About Spike TV
Spike TV is available in 97.3 million homes and is a division of MTV
Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the
world's leading creators of programming and content across all media
platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is http://www.spike.com and for
up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit
Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is
actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion
pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and
licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of
modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United
Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM
Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM
International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home
Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media,
MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership
interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM
ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony
Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
(7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com.
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