Fate of Oahu
is known soon
Fox Television may announce Friday whether its hotel drama "Oahu" is a series. Network execs saw a presentation this week. Pre-production could start March 22, with filming on May 3. A warehouse for production offices and sets is still needed ...
NBC's pilot "Hawaii" continues without a hitch, despite star Michael Madsen's departure last week due to reported artistic differences. "Hawaii" is using more than 30 locations, including LaMariana Bar & Restaurant at Keehi Lagoon, Waikiki (for a car chase scene), a North King Street apartment complex, a Kakaako auto body shop and the Paul Mitchell estate in Lanikai (Maria Caprio's International Productions was instrumental in getting estate trustees to allow filming). Actor Branscomb Richmond is here for a week to portray the character of Keaau, an ex-con turned informer. Andy Bumatai has been cast in a recurring role ...
Besides the pilot script for the castaway drama "Lost" (filming begins next Monday), ABC has ordered another six scripts from J.J. Abrams ("Alias") and Damon Lindelof ("Crossing Jordan"). So far, the network has reportedly only seen a detailed 20-page outline from the duo, who are keeping the script secret. But here's what we do know: after a plane crashes on an unnamed and unoccupied island, the survivors must learn to live together, despite their disparate backgrounds. Some people disappear with no explanation.
Touchstone TV president Stephen McPherson describes the show as having "Michael Crichtonesque elements of a thriller with strong characters." A priority in developing the show is to have it done in a way that it can sustain over the long term as a series, he said.
The latest to join the ensemble cast are Matthew Fox ("Party of Five"), Harold Perrineau ( "Oz" and "The Matrix Revolutions"), Malcolm David Kelley ("Antwone Fisher"), Naveen Andrews ("Mighty Joe Young") and Josh Holloway ("CSI"). ...
Sources say producer George Litto is close to closing a production deal with a major Hollywood studio for the "Hawaii Five-0" film and assigning someone to rewrite Roger Towne's original script. Litto and the studio are interested in having George Clooney portray Steve McGarrett since Clooney has not committed to the "Magnum, P.I." film. Plans call for isle production to begin next February ...
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Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.