Kyle Chandler's 'The Vatican' Pilot Dead at Showtime
The drama pilot hailed from "House's" Paul Attanasio and was Ridley Scott's first TV directing gig.
Showtime is not moving forward with The Vatican.
The news comes after Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal hinted in a recent interview with THR that the drama pilot, that originated based on an idea she came up with, saw showrunner Paul Attanasio exit after the pilot -- and reshoots -- came back with problems.
The Vatican, a contemporary thriller about spirituality, power and politics, was set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic Church. The drama would have explored the relationships and rivalries, in addition to the mysteries and miracles behind the institution.
House's Attanasio penned the script for the Sony Pictures Television vehicle. Ridley Scott directed the pilot, marking his first television-helming gig. Attanasio, Scott and David Zucker executive produced.
Sources tell THR that the pricey drama didn't turn out well and that showrunner Attanasio was difficult, failing to meet deadlines and clashing with numerous people behind-the-scenes.
Chandler, who has been among the most sought-after actors since his five-season run on NBC's Friday Night Lights, starred as Cardinal Thomas Duffy with Downfall's Bruno Ganz portraying Pope Sixtus VI. Anna Friel, Sebastian Koch, Matthew Goode and Ewen Bremner co-starred. The drama marked a reunion for Showtime entertainment president David Nevins with Chandler, who previously teamed on NBC's Friday Night Lights, which the former produced. Chandler's casting came after Nevins is said to have pursued the Emmy winner to play Brody on Homeland.
For Showtime, The Vatican was one of three pilots in the works.
While it is not going forward, I hear Showtime brass is high on its other two pilots, drama The Affair and Philip Seymour Hoffman-starring comedy Happyish (formerly Trending Down), with series pickup decisions pending.
The net, which already has its original scripted lineup set for 2014, also recently began production on horror drama series Penny Dreadful.
* Was looking forward to some quality nudity by Rebecca Ferguson : (
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