Several more directors have closed deals to helm broadcast pilots this season. David Nutter is now set to direct produce the CW Arrow, described as a modern retelling of the story of DC Comics character Green Arrow. The project, from Berlanti Prods and Warner Bros TV, was written by Andrew Kreisberg and Marc Guggenheim based on a story by Greg Berlanti and Guggenheim. The three are credited as writers on the pilot and will executive produce with Nutter. This marks Nutter’s return to the superhero genre — he directed the pilot for the long-running WB/CW series Smallville. He also helmed the pilot for Smallville‘s companion, veteran CW sci-fi drama Supernatural. WME-repped Nutter previously teamed with Berlanti on Berlanti’s WB drama series Jack & Bobby, whose pilot was directed by Nutter.
Oscar-winning documentary-maker Davis Guggenheim has been tapped to direct CBS’ drama pilot Widow Detective, written by David Hubbard and produced by CSI maven Carol Mendelsohn. The project, from CBS TV Studios and Mendelsohn’s studio-based production company, centers on a decorated police detective who, after losing three partners in the line of duty, becomes surrogate husband, lover and father to their families. All 4 pilots Guggenheim has directed so far have gone to series, including 2 at CBS, The Unit and The Defenders. His most recent music documentary, From The Sky Down, about the creation of U2′s acclaimed 1991 album Achtung Baby, was acquired by Showtime.
Brian Kirk (Game Of Thrones) will direct ABC’s Gilded Lillys, a period drama written/executive produced by The Nine co-creator KJ Steinberg and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes. Set in 1895 New York City, Gilded Lillys is described as an epic love story that follows the opening of the first luxury hotel in the city and the intermingling of love, treachery and disdain between the classes. The project hails from ABC Studios and Rhimes’ studio-based Shondaland.
Jason Ensler will direct the CW’s Cult, a mystery drama from veteran sci-fi writer producer Rockne S. O’Bannon produced by Gossip Girl co-creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. Cult was first developed during the CW’s maiden pilot season, centers on an inquisitive, young female production assistant on a wildly popular television show called Cult who, after a rash of disappearances and a likely murder, joins a journalist blogger in investigating the rabid fans of the series who might be re-creating crimes seen on the program in real life. This marks Ensler’s return to the CW where he directed the pilot for Hart Of Dixie last year.
