Neil Gaiman’s ‘American Gods’ Greenlit by Starz
After years of setbacks, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods is finally coming to the small screen. Starz has given its TV adaptation a straight-to-series order, with Bryan Fuller (Hannibal) and Michael Green (Kings) on board as writers and showrunners. The Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel, which was previously in development at HBO, centers on a war between the old gods of biblical and mythological roots and a new group of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Production is expected to start this fall for release in late 2016, dependent on casting the lead role of Shadow Moon. [The Wrap]
Aaron Paul Lands Male Lead in Jason Katims’ Hulu Drama ‘The Way’
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul has found his next big TV gig. He’s set to co-star with Michelle Monaghan on Jason Katim’s new Hulu drama The Way. Based on a script by Katims (Friday Night Lights), Michelle Lee and Jessica Goldberg (Parenthood), The Way follows a family at the center of a controversial faith-based movement that is struggling with relationships, marriage and power. Paul will play Eddie Cleary, a long-time member of ‘The Way’ who is preoccupied by an event he witnessed on a religious retreat. His wife (Monaghan) thinks he’s having an affair, but Eddie is really sneaking off to meet someone whose truth could destroy everything he believes in. Production on the 10-episode series begins this summer for a winter premiere. Mike Cahill (Another Earth) will direct the pilot. [THR]
‘The Secret Life of Pets’ Teaser Trailer: It’s All Gone to the Dogs
Illumination Entertainment’s The Secret Life Of Pets answers the age-old question of what our pets do all day when we’re not home. And it’s not quite what you’d expect (or maybe it is) in the Universal Pictures animated film’s first teaser trailer. Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart lend their voices for the comedy from Chris Renaud (Despicable Me) and Yarrow Cheney. Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress, Jenny Slate, Lake Bell, and Albert Brooks also star. The Secret Life Of Pets releases in theaters July 8, 2016.
Michael Ealy Joins Season 2 of ‘Secrets & Lies’
Ryan Phillipe is not returning for season 2 of ABC’s Secrets & Lies. Instead, Michael Ealy (Almost Human, The Following) has signed on as the new male lead. He’ll star opposite Juliette Lewis on the crime anthology series as Eric Warner, a well-educated newlywed and heir apparent to his family’s private equity firm in Charlotte, NC. When Eric’s wife Kate is suddenly murdered, he must turn to Detective Andrea Cornell (Lewis) to solve the case. Secrets & Lies returns midseason, taking over for Nashville during its hiatus. [Deadline]