Oscar-nominated actorJohn C. Reillyis coming to the rescue of an old friend, as he has signed on to replaceMichael Shannonas Lakers ownerJerry Bussin HBO’s drama pilot about the Showtime-era Lakers, which reunites him with frequent collaboratorAdam McKay.
The series will depict Buss as a self-made millionaire whose success has only amplified his proclivity for risk. Buss redefines American sports, celebrity, and wealth by transforming the Lakers into a basketball dynasty, but his house of cards threatens to collapse on him – and the people he loves most.
Jason Clarkeis set to co-star asJerry West, the “cantankerous tortured genius of basketball,” per HBO. West ought to be the perfect man to build the Lakers into a dynasty, if only he could get past his own worst enemy – himself.
The HBO series is based onJeff Pearlman’s non-fiction bookShowtime, which chronicled the personal and professional lives of the Showtime Lakers – a team that defined its era, both on and off the court. In addition to Buss and West, key characters coachPat Rileyand All-Star players likeMagic JohnsonandKareem Abdul-Jabbar.
McKay will direct the pilot and executive produce alongsideKevin Messickunder McKay’s new, yet-to-be-named company.Max Borensteinwill serve as writer and executive producer, whileJim Hechtwill serve as co-writer and executive producer.Jason Shuman,Scott StephensandRodney Barnesround out the EP team. Additional casting is under way, and McKay is expected to start shooting the pilot in September. The series was previously titledShowtime, but seeing as Showtime is also a network that counts HBO as its chief rival, it made sense to change the title rather than confuse audiences.
Reilly earned an Oscar nomination for his supporting turn inChicago, and he previously worked with McKay onTalladega Nights,Step BrothersandHolmes & Watson. And with the exception of the latter film, he’s coming off a banner year that saw him star inThe Sisters BrothersandStan & Ollie, both of which were very, very good. Reilly also starred inPaul Thomas Anderson’s first three films, which was how I first discovered the actor’s brilliant work. He’s represented by WME and Framework Entertainment.
It’s unclear what kind of creative differences led to Shannon’s departure from the project, but it does open up his fall schedule. As you’ll remember,Collider had previously reportedthat Shannon was being eyed to co-star oppositeBradley CooperinGuillermo del Toro’sNightmare Alley, but that a scheduling issue could pose a problem. Well, that was the HBO series, and with that now off Shannon’s plate, look for him to close that deal soon.
