How To Procrastinate Like a Pro, Showtime Still Negotiating With Lynch, ABC Looking At ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Spinoff, Film Development For 4/9/15

SSN ORIGINALS

Confessions Of a Recovering TV Writer: How To Procrastinate Like a Pro

It’s no secret that when it comes to sitting down to actually doing the writing, we writers excel at procrastination. If, anywhere within a five mile radius of the computer, we happen to notice an unsharpened pencil, a window, a refrigerator, a phone, unopened mail, a magazine, something needing dusting, the TV remote, a ladybug making its way up the wall, a freckle, a birthmark, a pimple, a scab, or even a stray thought — that’s more than enough reason to stop writing. (SSN)

Film Development For 4/9/15: Vin Diesel In For ‘Billy Lynn’, Judd Apatow’s New Project and ‘Play-Doh: The Movie’

Plenty of action this week, both with new attachments for existing projects, and the announcement of entirely new projects. Among the new stuff is a top secret sci-fi thriller at Warner, a starring role for one of the stars of The Book Of Mormon, and several live action remakes of animated fare. (SSN)

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Don’t Write Off David Lynch From Showtime’s ‘Twin Peaks’ Revival Just Yet

Despite an announcement from the renowned director, and co-creator of the series, that he would not take part in the new version due to financial issues, negotiations are actually still ongoing. Reportedly, when the nine scripts for the new shows were turned in, it became clear to the cable net that the series was going to cost far more than previously agreed, which led to the standoff. (SF)

ABC Still Loves Being In Business With Marvel, Eyes an ‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Spinoff

Following this year’s Agent Carter limited series, the studio and the network are quietly prepping another, a S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff, for next season. The project would reportedly feature cast members from the mothership series, with the talent deals currently being worked out. That is the strategy used for the Arrow-Flash spinoff series, now in the works at the CW, also for next season. (DH)

Baz Luhrman’s New Netflix Show, ‘The Get Down’, Has Announced Its Cast

Show is about a group of "rag tag teenagers" set in the Bronx in the late ‘70s, and has added the four main cast members. T.J. Brown, Justice Smith, Shameik Moore and Skylan Brooks will play the four leads of the show. Netflix ordered 13 episodes of The Get Down and Luhrmann will direct the first two episodes and the season finale. It is expected to debut in 2016. (HP)

HBO Is Not Wasting Any Time, Announces That ‘True Detective’ Returns June 21st

The new installment of the Emmy-award winning series, stars Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch, and centers around a murder that brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal. All four involved must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Nic Pizzolatto wrote the series, and the first two episodes of the new season will be directed by Justin Lin. (VAR)

As Paramount Gears Up For Its ‘Marco Polo’ Project, Hayden Christensen Answers the Call

Rob Cohen is directing the fantasy-action movie, which will star Christensen in the lead role of the co-production between Paramount and China Film Group. Also involved are Chinese firms Yuehua Entertainment and Huahua Film & Media Culture, as well Phoenix Entertainment, who all are co-producing the project. (THR)

The ’Gremlins’ Reboot Takes a Giant Step Forward, as Warner Bros. Hires a Writer

New hire Carl Ellsworth is an experienced horror writer, with such credits as Disturbia, Red Eye, the remake of The Last House on the Left and the upcoming Goosebumps on his resume. Christopher Columbus wrote the script for the original Gremlins in 1984, and Joe Dante directed. While no director has been announced, Columbus will at least produce the remake alongside Steven Spielberg, who was a producer on the first film. (CB)

Trailer Buzz, Part 1: ‘Orange Is the New Black’

The first look at the upcoming third season of the Emmy-winning Netflix series. The dramedy, which will now compete in the drama category in this year’s Emmys, will have its entire new season available on Netflix June 12th. (EMP)

Trailer Buzz, Part 2: ‘Grace and Frankie’

Netflix has also released the first trailer for its new comedy starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, reuniting for the first time since they starred together in 1980’s 9 to 5. All 13 episodes of the series, which also stars Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen, will be available on May 8th. (HP)