Mark Burnett

History Announces THE HATFIIELDS AND THE MCCOYS Miniseries Starring Kevin Costner and 10-Hour Docudrama Based on the Bible

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 24th, 2011 at 8:06 pm

History (formerly known as The History Channel) announced two high profile projects today.  The first, The Hatfield and the McCoys, centers on the infamous 19th-century family feud.  Kevin Costner will star as “Devil” Anse Hatfield and co-produce with Leslie Greif.  The press release claims the 2012 premiere will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the feud, but I’m not sure how they determine the anniversary for a multidecade feud that was initiated 146 years ago.  Brad Pitt, Robert Duvall, and Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper were linked to a separate Hatfield/McCoy movie over a year ago, with the caveat that it will happen “if and when Pitt decides to clear a place in his schedule.”  I imagine the Costner project will dissuade Pitt from searching too hard for that hole.

Additionally, History is developing a docudrama series with producer Mark Burnett (Survivor).  The network promises all the greatest hits: Noah’s Ark, the Exodus from Egypt, Daniel and the Lion’s Den, and of course, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  The press release highlights the “state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery (CGI),” which is absolutely noteworthy in 2011.  The 10-hour series will air in five parts in 2013.

Read the official announcement for both projects after the jump.

TV News: Laura Linney and Piper Perabo Head to the Small Screen, While Mark Burnett Holds OUR LITTLE GENIUS Back a Grade

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm

By far, the biggest story in television right now is the possible removal of Leno from NBC’s schedule after the Olympics, but there is plenty of other newsworthy movement in TV Land at the moment.  Showtime has ordered The Big C, which stars Laura Linney as a wife and mother whose life is shaken when she is diagnosed with cancer.  USA has picked up Covert Spaces, which stars Piper Perabo as a young CIA trainee.  And FOX has pulled quiz show Our Little Genius from the schedule less than a week before its intended January 13th premiere date for reshoots.

To learn what lured film stars Linney and Perabo to the small screen and why Burnett delayed his own show, hit the jump.

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