ABC orders Jerry Bruckheimer, McG pilots

Pilots focus on a performing arts high school and amateur detectives

By HitFix Staff Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 12:47 AM

ABC orders Jerry Bruckheimer, McG pilots

McG

Credit: Ric Field/AP

ABC has ordered a pair of drama pilots from big-name producers Jerry Bruckheimer and McG.

"Limelight" comes from McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision and superstar hip-hop producer Pharrell Williams.

Written by K.J. Steinberg ("Gossip Girl"), "Limelight" focuses on the students and faculty at a performing arts school in New York City.

According to Variety, the pilot, based on the real-life experiences of Williams, was originally developed in the fall of 2007 with David S. Rosenthal writing the script.

The current version will be directed by David Semel, one of the industry's pilot-helming lucky charms.

The Bruckheimer-produced pilot was written by Mark Friedman and focuses on a team of amateur detectives.

If the Bruckheimer series goes to series it would be the super-producer's first ABC drama.

Produced by Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman, the untitled drama (called "The Unknown" internally) will be directed by "CSI" and "Eleventh Hour" (and "Judge Dredd") director Danny Cannon.