Last September, Fox added an adaptation of DC Comics/Vertigo’s Lucifer comic book series to its TV development slate. Today, the project is one major step closer to happening.
Deadline is reporting that Fox has picked up the pilot option for Lucifer, with Californication creator Tom Kapinos attached to write and executive produce the series. Underworld director and Sleepy Hollow co-creator Len Wiseman will direct the pilot episode and executive produce the series for Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros TV.
The Lucifer comic book series was a spinoff of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and written by Mike Carey for seventy five issues before it came to an end. The story followed Lucifer after he abandoned his position as the king of hell to live in Los Angeles and run a piano bar as he tried to discover a new purpose in his life.
Related: ‘Californication’ Creator Signs ‘Lucifer’ Deal With Fox
For the TV series, the premise has undergone a bit of network retooling to add a police procedural element to it. That means that the title character of Lucifer now “gets his kicks helping the LAPD punish criminals.” Apparently, the original script for the pilot was much closer to the comic than the latest incarnation. The change was likely made to help sell the project to Fox. A similar tactic helped the quirky iZombie comic book find a home at The CW.
Lucifer will be in contention for a slot on Fox’s fall TV schedule. Casting is expected to begin soon.
