Raymond Burr was THE Robert Ironside. I loved that show. It remains to be seen if this role can be resurrected in an interesting way. But I must admit that I am intrigued by Blair Underwood taking it on.
Here’s the network’s official description of the series:
In the gritty world of the NYPD, no one’s tougher than Detective Robert Ironside. He’s a fearless cop who won’t stop until the guilty are brought to justice. He and his trusted, handpicked team of specialists will do whatever it takes to solve New York’s most difficult and notorious crimes – even if it means breaking the rules. Tough, sexy and acerbic, Ironside’s never been afraid to call it like he sees it. As a detective, his instincts are second to none, and those around him have to stay on their toes if they want to keep up… because when his spine was shattered by a bullet two years ago, Ironside swore he’d never let a damn wheelchair slow him down.
NBC has officially set the hour-long drama’s time slot for Wednesdays at 10pm in the fall.
The Equalizer
The Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington, is now a red-hot project. The script by Richard Wenk will begin principal photography by April 2013, possibly on location in Boston. The film is loosely based on the 1980’s TV series that starred Edward Woodward as a Richard McCall, a mysterious former covert operations officer who helps people in trouble. Denzel will play a solitary, monastic figure who hates injustice and devotes himself to helping people who are being victimized. Antoine Fuqua is directing.
Insiders are reporting that Equalizer is also “designed to launch the first franchise” for Washington. In theaters in April, 2014.
Good Times
The Good Times remake has been given the go-ahead, Deadline reported on Tuesday, March 12. Producer Scott Rudin will team with Sony Pictures on the project and writer Phil Johnston will handle the script. Good Times remake would be set in 1960s Chicago. Eric Monte, Tammie Evans and Carlena Harris will be executive producers. Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/569113/good-times-remake-coming-to-big-screen/#2KSXVYgqXeDuIzVb.99
The Last Dragon
The project is reportedly being headed up by Devon Franklin at Sony, Berry Gordy’s son Kerry Gordy, John Davis of Davis Entertainment, the RZA and Dallas Jackson.
Mahogany
A remake of the 1975 cult classic Mahogany is reportedly in the works, according to BET. The iconic movie starred legendary diva Diana Ross as Tracy, a Chicago native who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Tracy eventually realizes her dreams and relocates to Rome, where she struggles to balance her relationship with a hometown boyfriend Brian (played by Billy Dee Williams) and her skyrocketing career.
Suzanne de Passe, a longtime Motown executive and producer, will be resurrecting the film which was originally directed by Berry Gordy. de Passe Jones Entertainment has obtained the rights to the Diana Ross/Billy Dee Williams classic from the film’s director and rights holder Mr. Berry Gordy.
Porgy And Bess
The 1959 film which starred Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge was recently remade as a Broadway musical starring Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis. McDonald won a Tony for Best Leading Actress In A Musical.
According to Variety, the Gershwin family and the estate of lyricist DuBose Heyward are currently working with producers Mike Medavoy and Bobby Geisler to bring a contemporary version to the silver screen.
Variety writes:
The duo is working with the Gershwin family and the estate of lyricist DuBose Heyward to develop the project. Marc George Gershwin, nephew of the Gershwin brothers, told Variety that he’s optimistic that Medavoy and Geisler will be able to produce a fresh take on the 1935 work.
“We get approached a lot with ideas that aren’t very good but Mike has a great track record,” Gershwin noted. “We’re confident that he’s going to able to find the right director and writer. And we already have the music.”
“Porgy and Bess” premiered in New York in 1935 with a cast of African-American singers, featuring the songs “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “Bess You Is My Woman Now,” “I Loves You Porgy” and “I Got Plenty of Nuttin.”
Samuel Goldwyn produced a 1959 film version of “Porgy and Bess,” starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. Rouben Mamoulian, who directed the 1935 Broadway premiere, had been hired to direct the film but was replaced by Otto Preminger.
The Gershwin estate was disappointed with the 1959 film. “Hopefully, this new one is going to be a lot better,” Marc Gershwin added.
