CBS has opted not to proceed with its high-profile TV series adaptation of Michael Connelly’s novel “The Lincoln Lawyer” which would’ve hailed from A+E Studios and CBS TV Studios.
Hailing from “The Practice” and “Boston Legal” creator and “Big Little Lies” writer David E. Kelley, the project had a massive series production commitment. It is believed to be the first official pass on a project from the 2020 broadcast pilot season.
Production on all CBS pilots was shut down on Friday, March 13th with this series in final stages of pre-production. A cast had been locked, including a complex deal with Logan Marshall-Green to play the lead role of Mickey Haller who runs his Los Angeles law practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. Matthew McConaughey played the role in the previous film adaptation of the property.
CBS preemptively bought the project a year ago with a series production commitment but a lot has happened since including the CBS & Viacom merger, new management and big financial challenges – especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Even so, the pass on this is a big surprise and will yield penalty payouts to key talent involved. It is unclear yet whether A+E Studios will shop the series elsewhere but it is a likely scenario. Showrunner Ted Humphrey has reported opened a writers room with three other writers and Connelly closely involved.
Mickey Haller is a secondary character in Connolly’s novels and the brother of main character Harry ‘Hieronymus’ Bosch. Connelly’s novels about the latter have been turned into Amazon’s successful “Bosch” TV series starring Titus Welliver.
Source: Deadline
