spinoff casting news

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

According to The Hollywood Reporter...

Oscar winner Forest Whitaker is in final negotiations to star on CBS' potential "Criminal Minds" spinoff.

The project, which revolves around a new group of profilers who work outside the FBI bureaucracy, will be introduced on an episode of "Criminal Minds" in the spring.

Whitaker will play Cooper, the squad leader. Described as dynamic, mysterious, charming and a father figure to the rest of the team, he is a former star profiler in the Behavioral Unit who has been off the radar for the past eight years.

"Minds" executive producer Chris Mundy wrote the planted spinoff, from a story by him and "Minds" executive producer/showrunner Ed Bernero. Richard Shepard is directing.

Like the original series, the potential spinoff is being produced by ABC Studios, the Mark Gordon Co. and CBS Studios.

Producers of the new show zeroed in on Whitaker early and finally moved close to locking him in Monday night after lengthy on- and off- negotiations.

As part of the deal, Whitaker is expected to get a producing credit.

On TV, the WME-repped Whitaker, who won an Oscar in 2007 for "The Last King of Scotland," most recently had arcs on FX's "The Shield" and NBC's "ER."

Thoughts?

Comments

[procedurals.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see Forest Whitaker on my TV, but like others I don't really have high hopes for this.

Sort of off topic, but I wonder what the character descriptions were for the original casting call for Criminal Minds? Because I remember reading the casting call for the spinoff and rolling my eyes repeatedly, but maybe that's just how they all sound...?

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's really off topic so I went digging and found...

QUANTICO (CBS) - Mandy Patinkin ("Dead Like Me"), Shemar Moore ("Birds of Prey"), Lola Glaudini ("The Handler") and Matthew Gubler ("The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou") have all joined the cast of the drama pilot, a suspense thriller that centers on the F.B.I.'s Behavioral Analysis Unit (B.A.U.). Patinkin will play Spec. Agent Jason Donovan, described in the casting notice as "35-45. Experienced and has been around the block, deceptively average-looking, articulate, with a commanding presence, he's a seasoned FBI profiler who traded in field work for seminar instruction after witnessing a dozen cops die in a shrapnel bomb. He maintains a close relationship with his ex-wife, a psychiatrist, who has been helping him deal. When a serial murderer plagues the Seattle area, Donovan is asked to return as a full-time Unit Chief, but kept under close supervision."

Glaudini then is set as Spec. Agent Elle Greenaway, described as "Late 20s. All ethnicities. She is a young, sharp, resourceful and feisty FBI agent with a background in sex offender cases. Her specialty area stems from having been raped at age 19, and the assailant never having been caught. Elle impresses the hell out of the task force members, which is what she wants, as she is bucking for the opening in the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) at Quantico. According to her "file," Elle's biggest character flaw is impatience." As for Moore it's expected he'll play Spec. Agent Derek Morgan, who's detailed as "30-35. All ethnicities. He is a handsome, confident, fast-talking FBI profiler, an expert on obsessional crimes. A witty, direct lady charmer who trains new agents, Morgan joins the special profiler team led by Donovan, to save a woman from becoming the fifth victim of a deranged serial killer." Gubler's character wasn't specified. Touchstone Television is behind the project, which comes from executive producers Jeff Davis and Mark Gordon ("Grey's Anatomy").

QUANTICO (CBS) - Thomas Gibson ("Dharma & Greg") is the latest addition to the pilot, a suspense thriller set inside the F.B.I.'s Behavioral Analysis Unit. He'll reportedly play Spec. Agent Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner in the project. Said character is described in the casting notice as: "Mid 30s. All American. He is an FBI special agent, a loyal, God-fearing compassionate, family man who is respectful of authority. He's a nice guy, reluctant to pass judgement, but more than capable of doing what's required of him." Mandy Patinkin (Spec. Agent Jason Donovan), Shemar Moore (Spec. Agent Derek Morgan), Lola Glaudini (Spec. Agent Elle Greenaway) and Matthew Gubler also star in the project, which comes from Touchstone Television, Paramount Network Television and executive producers Jeff Davis and Mark Gordon. In addition, it's believed Gubler's role has been confirmed as Spec. Agent Dr. Daniel Reed: "27. A classically misunderstood genius with a seriously low social I.Q., he is an FBI special agent whose expertise covers just about everything. Reed takes his job seriously, and often needs to be reminded by his cohorts to lighten up."courtesy of thefutoncritic (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=criminal_minds)

Aside from LOL at the changes since, I still find this a LOT more intriguing than what they're giving us thus far for the spinoff. I'm hoping that they aren't just expecting an Oscar winner to carry the show and that we're simply missing some key details. Seriously hoping.

[resolucidity.livejournal.com]

Why does it not surprise me that YOU found this? (you are so anal...but you know ILU!)
But it does go to show that anything can happen from those original releases. LOL.
As far as the spinoff goes...I'm not overly impressed (even though I love FW). I wish they'd give more attention to the show we do have. It frequently amazes me that CM does as well as it does despite the fact that it's never given the attention it deserves. *sigh*

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

Moral: Never ask RC a question that you really don't want answered! =P

Hey, I love Lawrence Fishburne but he hasn't gotten me to watch CSI. AGREED! CBS has only started to give CM attention when the ratings started surpassing the CSI franchises. GRR! Wish this new found energy just went back to the show we all know and love. So far the casting for the spinoff is made of crazy. Bah!

[innerslytherin]

Lawrence Fishburne really doesn't work in CSI, apparently. I know a lot of people who have stopped watching since Gil Grissom (actor's name escapes me) left the show.

[procedurals.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for finding this. Interesting how some things change, others stay the same. I wonder why they decided to rename some of the characters?

[dysfunkshunell1.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! Wish I could've found something on all the BAU members but even with this bit, I stick with the original sounding a lot more like something I'd give a chance to than what has been released so far for the spinoff. Also, I'd have to simply go with someone has a naming issue considering how the spinoff continues nameless.