J.J. Abrams Is Now Pitching the New Locke-Ben Linus Show
Forget Rizzoli & Isles: Are you ready for Linus & Locke? In news that could cause the Lost fan base to have a synchronized aneurysm, Vulture hears that last week, J.J. Abrams and frequent collaborators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Alias, Mission: Impossible 4) began pitching a comedic drama to the networks that would have Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn - a.k.a. Benjamin Linus and John Locke/Smokey - playing former black-ops agents.
The idea of Emerson and O'Quinn reuniting isn't completely new: In February, the duo told TV Guide that they were looking to put together a post-Lost TV project for themselves; the rumors were revived again last month when Emerson repeated his hopes for a new show while doing publicity for the Lost full-series DVD collection. Still, all the talk seemed to be in the realm of "maybe one day." Turns out plans for a show are very real and very active - and the involvement of Abrams and other Bad Robot types means there's a really good chance the project will soon find a home.
As always with all things Abrams, details are sketchy, but insiders said the potential show - which we've heard carries the working title Odd Jobs - would have a dose of humor. It's not clear whether Appelbaum and Nemec will include any elements of an idea floated by O'Quinn last winter that had the two former Lost-mates serving as suburban hit men.
It's been a busy month for Bad Robot: Abrams and producing partner Bryan Burk last week set up Person of Interest at CBS and an Alcatraz-themed drama at Fox. Abrams's Undercovers, meanwhile, bows Wednesday on NBC, while the Abrams-directed feature Super 8 is moving forward, with Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning the first two actors cast in the project. Warner Bros., the studio where Bad Robot is based, had no comment.
source