EPIX announced today it will go into production on a Get Shorty series from MGM Television. Created and executive produced by Davey Holmes (“Shameless,” “In Treatment,” “Damages”), the one hour drama series is a reimagining of Elmore Leonard’s 1990 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name. Production on the Get Shorty series is anticipated to begin this fall and air summer 2017.
In Get Shorty, Miles Daly works as muscle for a murderous crime ring in Nevada. For the sake of his daughter, he attempts to change professions and become a movie producer, laundering money through a Hollywood film. But instead of leaving the criminal world behind, he accidentally brings it with him to Los Angeles.
“We’re excited to be working with MGM on ‘Get Shorty,’” said Mark S. Greenberg, President and CEO, EPIX. “I had the pleasure of working with Elmore Leonard early in my career and I am a big fan of his writing. Davey Holmes is a tremendous talent and has created a fantastic new series that is in the spirit of Leonard’s unique brand of social satire and strong narrative voice. ‘Get Shorty’ promises to be yet another example of the type of high-end, premium TV that EPIX is committed to delivering to its subscribers.”
“Davey has created a modern-day re-envisioning of Elmore Leonard’s timeless cult classic where organized crime and Hollywood collide in very funny ways. We are thrilled to bring these irreverent characters to fans and audiences around the globe with our fantastic partners at EPIX,” said Mark Burnett, President, Television and Digital Group, MGM and Steve Stark, President, Television Development and Production, MGM.
MGM, a joint venture partner in EPIX, produced the 1995 movie version of Get Shorty that starred John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, and Danny DeVito and was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Travolta won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his portrayal of the lead character Chili Palmer and the film received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Are you looking forward to the Get Shorty series? Let us know in the comments below!