Wednesday, August 13, 2008

ABC Orders 'The Witches of Eastwick' Pilot; officially out of fresh ideas


From bloodydisgusting, The random things that happen in my life always blows my mind. Just last week I took a trip back to Eastwick, while today it was announced that ABC has ordered a pilot for a new TV series based on the '80s film starring Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Cher and Michelle Pfeiffer. Read on for the skinny and plans for the next project on their latest trip into town.

"The Witches of Eastwick" is casting a new spell at ABC.

The Alphabet web gave a put pilot order to a new version of the supernatural tale, to be penned by Maggie Friedman ("Dawson's Creek"). The new "Witches" is said to be a variation on the 1987 feature of the same name.

The movie, which starred Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer, was based on the John Updike novel about three women who turn to witchcraft after losing (or booting) the men in their lives. They conjure up a devil-like character, who then proceeds to seduce all three of them.

Warner Bros. TV has been looking to create a smallscreen version of the franchise for years. In 1992, scribes Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam were behind a "Witches of Eastwick" pilot for NBC. That version starred Catherine Mary Stewart, Julia Campbell, Ally Walker and Michael Siberri.

Fox developed a different version, also with Warner Bros. TV, in 2002. The abbreviated-titled "Eastwick," from exec producer Jim Leonard and scribes Jon Cowan and Robert Rovner, focused on the teenage sons of the original witches. Lori Loughlin, Marcia Cross and Kelly Rutherford starred.

"The Witches of Eastwick" was also adapted into a musical, first in the U.K. by Cameron Mackintosh, and last year in the U.S. at the Signature Theater in Arlington, Va. The lyrics and book were adapted by John Dempsey, with music by Dana Rowe.

Released in 1987, the feature "Witches of Eastwick" ultimately grossed $64 million.

As for Friedman, the scribe has experience spinning sorcery tales. She developed the pilot "Spellbound," about a life coach who was also a witch, for the CW and Warner Bros. TV in 2007.

Friedman's credits also include "Related," "Jack and Bobby" and "Once and Again."

1 comment:

Octopunk said...

Good gravy, I loved that movie but what a parade of mediocrity it spawned! I had no idea.

Still better than another Leprechaun movie.

Salem's Lot 1979 and Salem's Lot 2024

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