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TNT Lines Up Original Movie Slate

Wednesday, March 03, 2004

09:36 AM PT

Two "Exorcist" veterans, a remake of an Audrey Hepburn classic, a daredevil, an Emmy-winning reunion and a treasure hunting librarian lead TNT's ambitious roster of original movies either in production or in development.

William Peter Blatty, the author of "The Exorcist" and director of one of its sequels, will write and produce "Elsewhere." The horror effort has a familiar plot focusing on four friends who spend a weekend in a house to prove that it isn't haunted only to discover that, well, it is. Marshall Cogen, Ray Wagner and Coleen Camp are executive producing the project.

Meanwhile, Paul Schrader ("Taxi Driver," "Affliction") will adapt James Ellroy's novel "Clandestine" for the cable network. Schrader, who was replaced as director on the latest "Exorcist" sequel, is making a rare visit to television on the project, which is set to star William Petersen ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"). Peterson will also executive producer the 1950s noir story, along with Cindy Chvatal.

TNT also announced plans to remake Frederick Knott's play "Wait Until Dark," which is probably best known from the 1967 feature adaptation that starred Hepburn as a blind woman fighting off home invaders. Mark Wolper (TNT's upcoming "Salem's Lot") will executive produce.

Those three projects join a trio of previously announced TNT originals. George Eads ("CSI") will star in "Evel Knievel," while the "Door to Door" duo of William H. Macy and Steven Schachter will reteam on "The Wool Cap."

Also, Dean Devil ("Independence Day") will executive produce "The Librarian" from a script by David Titcher ("Around the World in 80 Days").