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HBO Pulls Plug on 'Project Greenlight'

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

10:36 AM PT

"Project Greenlight" has burned out at HBO, but there's a chance the movie-making reality series could wind up on another network.

HBO has opted not to pick up a third season of "Greenlight," which stages a contest for aspiring screenwriters and directors and then chronicles the winners as they work with Miramax to make their movie. The show may not be dead, however.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Bravo is negotiating with Miramax TV and Live Planet, the production company headed by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon that co-produces "Greenlight," for the show's third season. Bravo recently ordered "Project Runway," a similar competition set in the fashion world that's also from Miramax.

A Miramax spokesman confirms that the company is shopping the series but little else. "We believe in 'Project Greenlight' and are currently re-evaluating its distribution options," the spokesman says.

Neither movie that resulted from the previous two "Greenlight" contests made much noise at the box office. Neither "Stolen Summer" nor "The Battle of Shaker Heights" cracked even $500,000 in their initial release. Still, Affleck and Damon reportedly remain committed to giving would-be filmmakers a shot.

Their Live Planet partner Chris Moore, however, might not be. He produced both of the "Greenlight" films and was the strongest personality in the TV series, but hasn't committed to a third season. The possibility of a Moore-free show was a factor in HBO's decision to drop the series, according to the Reporter.