'Goodfellas' Due on the Small Screen, Courtesy of AMC
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| Jimmy the Gent |
They didn't exactly look like the real crew -- Paul Vario's, of the Luchese family; the real members of the gang look like they are wearing really bad 1970s castoff clothing. But without the original dudes, without Henry Hill flipping and writing his book, on which the film is based, there never would've been Goodfellas, than today's mobsters would still rely on The Godfather to tell them how to dress and act.
AMC Picks Up 'GoodFellas' TV Series | The Playlist:
This one has been brewing for a while now. As early as 2009, word first emerged that a TV series based on Martin Scorsese's classic "GoodFellas" was in the works. Then, in the fall of 2010, that talk became much more real as Martin Scorsese came on board, joining the film's original producer, Irwin Winkler, in the behind the scenes talent, with Nicholas Pileggi writing the series. Well, one of cable's biggest networks right now is throwing their weight behind the series in what will
likely be one of the most anticipated shows in quite some time.
Deadline reports that AMC, home to a few shows you might have heard of like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," have now put the program in development with Jorge Zamacona ("Homicide: Life On The Streets") joining the writing team. David Winkler and Warner Bros. are also throwing their producing muscle behind the project (though Scorsese's name seems curiously absent), and while plot details haven't been revealed, it's long been expected that the show will follow Henry Hill's time in witness protection. At least that was the general premise back when it was being pitched to HBO a few years ago, who eventually passed, though it may have changed shape by then.
Deadline reports that AMC, home to a few shows you might have heard of like "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," have now put the program in development with Jorge Zamacona ("Homicide: Life On The Streets") joining the writing team. David Winkler and Warner Bros. are also throwing their producing muscle behind the project (though Scorsese's name seems curiously absent), and while plot details haven't been revealed, it's long been expected that the show will follow Henry Hill's time in witness protection. At least that was the general premise back when it was being pitched to HBO a few years ago, who eventually passed, though it may have changed shape by then.
But this is pretty much a no brainer. "GoodFellas" is a contemporary classic, one of the cable staples now
that you hate coming across while channel surfing because it usually means you miss out on sleep/waste an afternoon watching it through until the end. It's influence and stature are undeniable, and people are gonna want to see more from that world. The talent behind this thing is solid, and it seems like it can't miss. And those are exactly the reasons why expecations are going to be sky high on this, so AMC and co. have a big bar to reach.
Still early days, but maybe we'll see this on the 2013 program slate at long last? Let's hope.
Still early days, but maybe we'll see this on the 2013 program slate at long last? Let's hope.