Starz is teaming with Owen Wilson and Law & Order's Rene Balcer to develop a period FBI drama.
Set on Ronald Reagan's America and inspired by one of the biggest undercover operations in FBI history, WonderWorld revolves around two straight-arrow agents as they infiltrate the Mob-controlled porn industry of the 1980s, facing dire consequences for both themselves and their families.
Emmy winner Balcer will pen the script, executive produce and serve as showrunner on the drama should it move to series. Fred Berner will reteam with his former L&O and L&O: Criminal Intent colleague to serve as executive producer. The project marks his follow up to Magic City, which Starz recently canceled after a two-season run. Regina Lee will produce the project for Owen Wilson's newly launched TV production arm. Prior to joining Wilson's banner, she was a development exec at Hugh Jackman's Seed Productions, where she served as the executive in charge of Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, among others.
STORY: Starz CEO Targets 75 Hours of Originals Per Year Over Time
Wilson and Balcer are repped by UTA. Berner is with Verve.
For Starz, WonderWorld comes as the premium cable network looks to have 75 hours of original programming on its airwaves in the coming years. The network recently gave an early second season renewal to Michael Bay's pirate drama Black Sails ahead of its freshman season premiere. It also has 50 Cent-produced drama Power and fantasy drama Outlander set for 2014 along with the second season of DaVinci's Demons.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
