Scooter Braun’s SB Projects Extends First-Look Deal With Amazon (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDr. Ibram X.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe untitled HBO series about the Los Angeles Lakers has added five to its cast, with Bo Burnham also exiting the series.It was reported in March that Burnham had been cast in the role of Celtics legend Larry Bird. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Burnham is no longer involved with the project due to scheduling conflicts.Sean Patrick Small will instead play Bird.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Witcher” showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix.Under the deal, Schmidt Hissrich will write and produce scripted series content and other creative projects for the streaming service.“I am so thrilled to have found my home at Netflix, and can’t wait to continue what’s been an incredibly fulfilling creative partnership,” Schmidt Hissrich said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe AMC sci-fi series “Moonhaven” has enlisted Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy to direct the first two episodes, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is focused on a utopian colony on the Moon that may hold the keys to preserving life on Earth, which has become increasingly perilous.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLongtime development executive Steven Prinz has signed an overall television deal and a first-look film deal with Amazon, Variety has learned.Prinz most recently served as global series executive for Amazon Studios, overseeing the development of projects from creators with first look and overall deals with the studio. Those included Plan B Entertainment, Michael B.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAuriel Rudnick has signed a three-year overall deal with Paramount Television Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.“I am excited to bring the kind of stories to life that I believe have long wanted to be told, and I am especially excited to be doing this with the phenomenal team at Paramount Television Studios,” Rudnick said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJeremy Shada has signed with A3 Artists Agency, Variety has learned exclusively. He continues to be represented by Scale Management.Shada is an actor, voice actor, and artist.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRJ Cyler has been cast in a series regular role in the upcoming Issa Rae HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh*t,” Variety has learned.The series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. Cyler will play Lamont, an aspiring music producer with a sharp ear for talent.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon’s upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series is moving production from New Zealand to the U.K for Season 2.The untitled series was picked up for multiple seasons at the streamer when it was first ordered back in 2017. Filming was completed on the first season of the show on Aug.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNina L. Diaz will now head up unscripted and adult animation for Paramount Plus, Variety has learned exclusively.The promotion was announced by Chris McCarthy in a memo to MTV Entertainment Group staffers on Thursday, which can be read in full below.Diaz will now serve as chief creative officer for unscripted entertainment and adult animation at Paramount Plus, while remaining CCO and president of content for MTV Entertainment Group.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRobert Rodríguez and his Troublemaker Studios have signed a first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max.Under the deal, Rodríguez will bring projects to HBO Max and HBO for potential development as original series. Racer Rodríguez, Rodríguez’s son, will serve as lead development executive under the pact.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloe Bennet has stepped down as one of the three leads in the live-action CW pilot based on “The Powerpuff Girls,” Variety has learned exclusively.Bennet was set to star as Blossom in the pilot, which is currently titled “Powerpuff.” The show was originally in contention during pilot season earlier this year for a potential fall air date, but The CW made the decision to redevelop and reshoot it instead, with CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz calling the first pilot “a

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s upcoming Peacock series has set Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to serve as co-showrunners, Variety has learned exclusively.The series, titled “Poker Face,” received a 10-episode order at Peacock back in March. Johnson created the series and will also direct and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJen Statsky has extended her overall deal with Universal Television.Statsky is the co-creator, co-showrunner and executive producer of the HBO Max comedy series “Hacks.” The series, which she created alongside collaborators Lucia Aniello and Paul W.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence has landed a series order at Apple for the drama “Bad Monkey” with Vince Vaughn attached to star, Variety has learned.The series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Panic” has been canceled after one season at Amazon, Variety has confirmed.The YA drama debuted on Amazon back in May. The one-hour series was based on the novel of the same name by Lauren Oliver.It takes place in a small Texas town, where every summer the graduating seniors compete in a series of challenges, winner takes all, which they believe is their one and only chance to escape their circumstances and make their lives better.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJustin Simien has signed an overall deal with Paramount Television Studios.Under the deal, Simien and his Culture Machine banner will develop premium television series for the studio for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSquare Peg and A24 are teaming to develop Adrian Tomine’s graphic memoir “The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist” for television as an animated series, Variety has learned exclusively.The memoir, first published in 2020, explores Tomine’s life through a series of autobiographical sketches. When a sudden medical incident lands Tomine in the emergency room, he begins to question if it was really all worthwhile: despite the accolades and opportunities of a seemingly

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThomas Lennon is developing the animated comedy “The Post Guard” at Fox, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is described as a workplace adventure comedy following the rag tag crew of humans, turtles, seals and mermaids at the secretive, and often overlooked mashup of the Coast Guard and Post Office, as they scour the high seas to find and deliver messages in bottles, while settling who among them is in charge of the ship’s menial tasks, like resetting the

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPoppy Liu has joined the cast of “Dead Ringers” at Amazon, Variety has learned.She joins previously announced series lead Rachel Weisz and recently announced cast member Michael Chernus. The series was announced at the streaming service in August 2020 with a straight-to-series order.