A series adaptation of the 1997 film “Wag the Dog” is in the works at HBO, TheWrap has learned.
Director Barry Levinson will adapt his own film, a political satire starring Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman, as a half-hour comedy series.
The series is described as “an ode to the classic film, but moving the weapons of mass distraction beyond politics and into business, entertainment, and yes, non-profits. In the 21st Century with the tools of social media at their hands, nothing is off limits to a small group of operators when it comes to manufacturing reality. Fake news is so yesterday.”
Levinson will direct and executive produce the series. “Draft Day” writer Rajiv Joseph will write and executive produce alongside Tom Fontana of the Levinson/Fontana Company. Jason Sosnoff, who produced the original film, will also executive produce, as will De Niro, Barry Welsh and Jane Rosenthal of Tribeca productions.
Political operative and Hillary Clinton supporter David Brock will serve as consultant on the series from Warner Bros. Television.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.