TV

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) In a case of art sort of imitating art, The WB has given the go-ahead to a pilot about Aquaman -- the subject of much derision on HBO's "Entourage" last summer.

"Smallville" creators Miles Millar and Al Gough will write the pilot, which like their current show will place the DC Comics character in the present-day world and emphasize character development over superpowered action. In fact, the show most likely won't be called "Aquaman," and underwater excursions will be limited, the showbiz trade papers report.

The pilot news comes a few weeks after Aquaman was featured on an episode of "Smallville," which drew the show's biggest audience this season. The new show, however, won't be built from the episode, and Alan Ritchson, the one-time "American Idol" contestant who played Aquaman, reportedly isn't being considered for the lead role.

Also out of the running for the part: "Entourage" star Adrian Grenier, whose character on the show, Vince Chase, is embarking on a big-budget, big-screen "Aquaman" with director James Cameron.

The Aquaman show will focus on Arthur Curry, who in his early 20s is becoming aware of his powers -- if not yet his history as the king of Atlantis -- while figuring out his life on land. The pilot is scheduled to shoot in Florida early next year, with "Smallville" vet Greg Beeman directing.

The WB has had mixed success with adapting DC properties for its airwaves. While "Smallville" is in its fifth season and is the network's most-watched show this fall, the 2002 series "Birds of Prey" lasted only half a season.