Forget Rizzoli & Isles: Are you ready for Linus & Locke? In news that could cause the Lost fan base to have a synchronized aneurysm, Vulture hears that last week, J.J. Abrams and frequent collaborators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Alias, Mission: Impossible 4) began pitching a comedic drama to the networks that would have Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn — a.k.a. Benjamin Linus and John Locke/Smokey — playing former black-ops agents.
The idea of Emerson and O'Quinn reuniting isn't completely new: In February, the duo told TV Guide that they were looking to put together a post-Lost TV project for themselves; the rumors were revived again last month when Emerson repeated his hopes for a new show while doing publicity for the Lost full-series DVD collection. Still, all the talk seemed to be in the realm of "maybe one day." Turns out plans for a show are very real and very active — and the involvement of Abrams and other Bad Robot types means there's a really good chance the project will soon find a home.
As always with all things Abrams, details are sketchy, but insiders said the potential show — which we've heard carries the working title Odd Jobs — would have a dose of humor. It's not clear whether Appelbaum and Nemec will include any elements of an idea floated by O'Quinn last winter that had the two former Lost-mates serving as suburban hit men.
It's been a busy month for Bad Robot: Abrams and producing partner Bryan Burk last week set up Person of Interest at CBS and an Alcatraz-themed drama at Fox. Abrams's Undercovers, meanwhile, bows Wednesday on NBC, while the Abrams-directed feature Super 8 is moving forward, with Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning the first two actors cast in the project. Warner Bros., the studio where Bad Robot is based, had no comment.
Monday, September 20, 2010
J.J. Abrams Is Now Pitching the New Locke–Ben Linus Show
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