Space is the PlaceNational Geographic Channel has committed to a rebooted miniseries version Tom Wolfe’s nonfiction novel The Right Stuff. The story was previously turned into an Academy Award-winning 1983 movie of the same name, which would seem like a tough act to follow up on. The series is being produced, however, by superstar actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The network is planning on several seasons, each of which will focus on a different NASA mission. The first season is expected to be set during the Cold War and will follow America’s race to put men into space. No word on whether Leo will grace the space race with his face.Vamp It UpStephenie Meyer, who gave the world the sparkly teenage vampires of Twilight, is also moving into television. The author is serving as executive producer on “The Rook” for Starz. The show is described as a “supernatural spy thriller” about a woman who works for a secret British government agency protecting the world from paranormal threats. The series is based on the 2012 novel by Australian writer Daniel O’Malley. “The Rook” was originally set to air on Hulu, but has since migrated to Starz. The series is expected to debut sometime in 2018.Emergency CallProlific creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck (“Popular,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Glee,” “American Horror Story,” “Scream Queens,” “American Crime Story,” “Feud”) are producing a new drama called “9-1-1” for FOX television. The procedural drama follows the high-pressure experiences of police, paramedics and firefighters in the wake of the critical question, “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” Peter Krause (“Six Feet Under”) and Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got To Do With It) are among the cast. The show is scheduled to air sometime in 2018.“Deadwood” Not Dead?It’s a longshot, but there’s still a chance HBO could commit to a feature-film spinoff of David Milch’s much-admired Shakespearian Western “Deadwood” (2004 to 2006). Since the show aired the last of its 36 episodes, fans have been begging for a resolution to the ongoing storyline. Earlier this year, series star Ian McShane announced that Milch had submitted a two-hour movie script to HBO. At the recent Television Critics Association press tour, HBO’s president of programming Casey Bloys said he’s read Milch’s proposed script and called it “terrific.” The film’s extensive sets were torn down when the show stopped filming, and the large cast—most of which are busy on other shows—would be costly to reassemble. Nonetheless, it appears that HBO is at least interested in considering the possibility of a Deadwood movie.You’ll Sing Your Eye OutFOX’s next live musical will be A Christmas Story. The much-loved (and much aired) 1983 holiday film is based on the semi-autobiographical writings of humorist Jean Shepherd. The film was adapted into a Tony Award-nominated stage musical in 2012. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—who nabbed Tony Awards for the musical Dear Evan Hansen and served as lyricists on the Academy Award-winning song “City of Stars” from La La Land—will compose several new songs for the television event. So far, former “SNL” star Maya Rudolph is the only announced cast member. She’ll star as Ralphie Parker’s mother. The musical will air live Sunday, Dec. 17, on FOX.
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