[Update:Showtime has confirmedCollider’s report and provided additional plot details. Our original story is below.]
Hot off his Oscar win for writingJojo Rabbit,Taika Waititiand two-time Oscar nomineeJude Laware teaming onThe Auteur, a new limited series in development at Showtime, Collider has learned.
While there are no deals in place yet, Waititi and Law are currently in negotiations with Showtime, which is saying goodbye toHomelandandShamelessthis year – andpossiblyRay Donovanas well. The network is ramping up its next generation of shows, includingHalo,Mr. Ripleyand limited seriesThe President Is Missingbased on the bestselling book byJames PattersonandBill Clinton, but it remains hungry for prestige content as the arms race for talent continues to intensify amid the current streaming wars.
Little is known aboutThe Auteur, though sources describe it as a Hollywood satire that examines the industry through the eyes of an eccentric auteur filmmaker, who would be played by Law. Waititi would executive produce alongside Law and direct at least one episode, as well as co-write the show withPeter Warren.
A representative for Showtime had no comment on Friday.
Waititi has a full dance card at the moment, as he’s in post-production on the soccer comedyNext Goal Wins, and will then segue to Marvel’sThor: Love and Thunder, whichrecently brought onJennifer Kaytin Robinson(Someone Great) to work on the script. He’s also attached to write aFlash Gordonmovie, and he hasbeen sought to directa newStar Warsmovie, although that project would be several years off. As an actor, Waititi will soon be seen alongsideRyan Reynoldsin the action-comedyFree Guy, and he’s also set to appear inJames Gunn’s DC movieThe Suicide Squad.
Law earned Oscar nominations for his supporting turn inThe Talented Mr. Ripleyand his lead role inCold Mountain. He recently played Dumbledore inFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and he also played Yon-Rogg inCaptain Marvel, so he and Waititi are both active members of the MCU. Law currently stars oppositeBlake LivelyinThe Rhythm Section, and he’ll soon be seen playingCarrie Coon’s materialistic husband inSean Durkin’s Sundance dramaThe Nest. Law is also expected to return for the third installments in theFantastic BeastsandSherlock Holmesfranchises, and he’s slated to star inFrancis Ford Coppola’s long-gestating passion projectMegalopolis.
On the TV side, Law stars alongsideJohn Malkovichin HBO’sThe New Pope, and he’s also slated to star oppositeNaomie Harrisin the network’s limited seriesThe Third Day. He’s represented by WME and Julian Belfrage Associates, while Waititi is repped by CAA, Manage-ment and Gail Cowan Management. For more on Waititi’s involvement withStar Warsand WB’sAkira,click here.
