Showtime has ordered a comedy TV pilot based on Rick Famuyiwa’s 1999 film, The Wood.
The project comes from the film’s director Rick Famuyiwa, Justin Hillian and Showtime sibling Paramount Television Studios. Famuyiwa will return to direct the pilot while Hillian, will write the script.
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The potential Showtime series will explore friendship and dating from the distinct perspectives of three young Black men born and raised in the gentrifying L.A. suburb of Inglewood, referred to by locals as the City Of Champions. As the city experiences gentrification, the three will have to balance fatherhood, ambition, and loyalty to each other, at a time when their companionship is being tested the most. Set in the present day, new complications, such as social media, are in play for these characters, as well as the loves and lack thereof, in their lives.
The original film, The Wood starred Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, and Taye Diggs. It followed the lives of three longtime friends over a span of a few decades after Diggs’ character Roland who gets cold feet the day before his marriage. Famuyima’s semi-autobiographical film was co-written by Todd Boyd, and also featured Sanaa Lathan, LisaRaye McCoy, and Malinda Williams.
It grossed $25 million at the box office on a budget of $6 million.
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The Wood tv pilot is executive produced by Hillian, Famuyiwa, as well as David Gale and Van Toffler, for Gunpowder & Sky.
There are no other details including casting, just yet.
Famuyiwa’s credits include the films Dope, Brown Sugar, HBO’s Confirmation and Talk To Me. He also directed episodes of The Chi and The Mandalorian.
Hillian has served as showrunner on The Chi since the beginning of the third season. He earned a Black Reel Awards nomination for Outstanding Writing, Drama Series for his work on Snowfall. His other television credits include I’m Dying Up Here and Superstore.