Issa Rae, Adam McKay Team on Series Adaptation of Podcast ‘Nice White Parents’ at HBO

EXCLUSIVE: HBO has acquired Cutblock, a dramatic thriller it is putting in development as a limited series that tracks a family of west coast timber fallers in their century-long pursuit of prosperity. The series is being written, directed and executive produced by Andrew Cividino and Trey Edward Shults. Also exec producing are Hyperobject Industries’ Adam McKay and Betsy Koch.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAl Madrigal and Jaime Camil are attached to co-star in a single-camera comedy in development at ABC, Variety has learned.The series is titled “Guerrillas.” Madrigal is co-writing and executive producing in addition to starring, with Camil co-executive producing as well.When Miles Flores (Madrigal), a lonely efficiency expert for an oil company gets kidnapped in South America, he ends up working for a disorganized group of guerrilla soldiers to earn back his freedom.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Amazon has acquired the rights to the Bill Konigsberg’s novel “The Bridge” with David Mandell set to adapt the book for television, Variety has learned exclusively.The limited series will be produced by Amazon Studios in association with PKM Productions. Mandell will write and executive produce, with Konigsberg also executive producing along with Patrick Moran of PKM.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSamuel L. Jackson is set to star in the limited series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” at Apple.The six-episode series is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley, who will adapt the book for the screen.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime has given a series order to the drama “Yellowjackets,” Variety has learned.The show was originally ordered to pilot at the premium cabler last September. The cast for the one-hour series is led by Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, and Tawny Cypress.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA series based on the life of music icon Rick James is in the works at Universal Content Productions (UCP).The series is currently titled “Super Freak.” It is described as a funkadelic mix of music biopic and true crime, chronicling James’ plans for a comeback in the early 1990s amidst a heated trial that threatened to destroy his legacy.No network or streaming service is currently attaced to the series, which will be written and executive produced by Randy McKinnon.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA sequel series to “Night Court” is in development at NBC, Variety has confirmed.The followup to the classic sitcom will see original series star John Larroquette return as Dan Fielding.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max is honoring a request by Dave Chappelle to remove “Chappelle’s Show” from the streaming service at the end of this year.Casey Bloys, chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max, made the revelation during the keynote conversation on day one of Variety’s Virtual FYCFest.“We had a conversation with Dave.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCasey Bloys is exploring a whole new range of programming options as he takes the creative reins at HBO Max.Bloys has been at the helm of HBO programming for a few years now, but was promoted to chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max back in August.

Captain America hunk Chris Evans has joined Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, and Cate Blanchett in director Adam Mckay’s latest star-studded movie.The as-yet-untitled project, about two astronomers who try to warn people about an asteroid hurtling towards Earth, also boasts Timothee Chalamet, Jonah Hill, Matthew Perry, Kid Cudi, and Ariana Grande, and now Evans has joined in the fun, according to Deadline.The actor won’t have to travel far for his new role – production is

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Messina is set for a lead role in the upcoming HBO Max pilot “Verbatim,” Variety has learned.The project is based on Brett Weiner’s New York Times Op Docs Series that screened at Sundance in 2014 and 2016.

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVThirty years after his first unscripted TV series aired, John Lurie is getting another.HBO will debut “Painting With John,” a new series directed by, written by and starring Lurie, Jan. 22.

Adam McKay just needs to relax a little.

EXCLUSIVE: Adam McKay’s new Netflix movie already has an A-list ensemble and just added another star to its cast. Sources tell Deadline Chris Evans is joining the cast of McKay’s next film Don’t Look Up. He joins a cast that already includes Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Rob Morgan, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill, Himesh Patel, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Matthew Perry and Tomer Sisley.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Industry” has been renewed for Season 2 at HBO.The news comes as the show is just over halfway through its eight-episode first season, with the sixth episode set to air this Sunday on the premium cabler.The series was created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a series order to “Extrapolations,” an anthology series about climate change from Scott Z. Burns, Variety has learned exclusively.Burns will write, direct, and executive produce the series, which hails from Media Res.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “True Blood” reboot is in the early development stages at HBO, Variety has confirmed with sources.Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jami O’Brien are attached to write the script and executive produce, with original series creator and showrunner Alan Ball also attached to executive produce.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Meryl Streep remains busy. The three-time Oscar winner will be seen in two films this week — Steven Soderbergh's Let Them All Talk, premiering on HBO Max on Thursday, and Ryan Murphy's The Prom, streaming on Netflix beginning Friday — and she's currently filming another movie.

EXCLUSIVE: Issa Rae and La La Anthony want to scare the living daylights out of you and make you laugh at the same time with Juju.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy pilot “Minx” is rounding out its cast.Idara Victor, Oscar Montoya, Jessica Lowe, Lennon Parham, and Michael Angarano have all been cast in series regular roles, with Jake Johnson attached to guest star.