Tag Archives: ABC

ABC discussing Star Wars television series

Posted on by

IGN’s Eric Goldman recently had the chance to sit down with ABC president Paul Lee during the Television Critics Association’s press tour. One of the questions asked: Is a live-action Star Wars television series a possibility?

At the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour today, I asked Disney president Paul Lee about the possibility of Star Wars on ABC. While Lee wouldn’t give any specifics, he did say, “I certainly have a glint in my eye. They have a lot on their plate when you look at the features that they’re planning on rolling out for the next few years, but we’ve started conversations with them.”

Nothing’s a guarantee, but it’s certainly not outside of the realm of possibility now that Disney has a stake in the franchise. If they’ve figured out a way to turn the Marvel film universe into a TV series, it’s certainly possible Star Wars could make the medium leap as well. Will this be the McCallum series that’s been in flux since 2005? I doubt it, especially given that he left Lucasfilm earlier this year. Still, more Star Wars is an exciting possibility.

Live-Action ‘Star Wars’ Series not Dead yet

Posted on by

While we were off podcasting last night, word dropped from Entertainment Weekly that Disney was looking at the live-action Star Wars series Lucasfilm has been working on for the last several years.

ABC entertainment president Paul Lee says he’s going to take a look at the long-gestating Star Wars live-action TV series now that the Disney deal to acquire Lucasfilm is complete.

“We’d love to do something with Lucasfilm, we’re not sure what yet,” Lee exclusively told EW. “We haven’t even sat down with them. We’re going to look at [the live-action series], we’re going to look at all of them, and see what’s right. We weren’t able to discuss this with them until [the acquisition] closed and it just closed. It’s definitely going to be part of the conversation.”

Also of note? Apparently Battlestar Galactica’s Ron Moore has been involved with the series.

Even many working in Hollywood don’t realize a live-action Star Wars TV series has been sitting on the shelf the past few years. The project was commissioned by longtime Lucasfilm producer Rick McCallum, who enlisted writers such as Battlestar Galactica‘s Ron Moore and swore them to NDA secrecy on the plot details (more on the show’s storyline below). Fifty scripts were written. McCallum once called the scripts the most “provocative, bold and daring material that we’ve ever done.”

Now, it should be noted that while ABC is looking into the possibility of a live-action Star Wars TV series to go along with their Whedon-produced S.H.I.E.L.D series, it doesn’t mean the show would necessarily be the McCallum project. Right now it’s just one possibility on the table for Disney if they wish to put Star Wars on TV for a more adult audience.