David Milch, creator of "Deadwood" and the upcoming HBO series "Luck," has entered into a new multi-year deal with the network and made a deal with the William Faulkner estate to develop films and TV shows based on the author's novels and short stories.
The new deal for Milch’s Redboard Productions with HBO will include "Luck," the Dustin Hoffman-led horseracing drama debuting Jan. 29.
Redboard's agreement with the William Faulkner Literary Estate covers Faulkner's the 19 novels and 125 short stories in the estate, as well as other writing, with the exception of works contracted with other parties.
ICM, which reps Milch, brokered the deal with the estate. Milch will work with Lee Caplin, the executor of the estate and CEO of Picture Entertainment Corp., to choose which stories to develop, package and produce. Milch and Caplin will serve as executive producers, with Milch serving as the executive writer.
The deal gives HBO an exclusive first opportunity to finance, produce and distribute the projects as movies, miniseries or series.
"We are especially pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with one of the industry’s most talented contemporary writers," said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO Programming. "We know that whatever David brings to the HBO table will be exciting and innovative."
Added Milch: "I’m delighted to expand my longstanding relationship with HBO to encompass the adaptation of some of the most important literary works by any American writer into television films and series. As we embark on this ambitious project, our first commitment is to serve the material, and we look forward to identifying and collaborating with the best screenwriters and filmmakers to help each of the pieces find its ideal form onscreen."
