We have been reporting quite a bit of very recent casting news about the comic-to-tv-pilot adaptation of Powers, a police procedural set in a world with superpowers. It now looks like the final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place, as they have awarded the role of Christian to the very excellent Jason Patric. Here is the FX press release, which includes a nice bit of info about the show as well as about Mr. Patric:
Film and stage star Jason Patric has signed on to star as “Christian Walker” in the FX drama series pilot Powers, based on the award-winning comic and graphic novel series by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.
“We’ve been asked repeatedly why it has taken so long to bring our series adaptation of Powers to fruition. It is for the same reason we cast Jason Patric in this role; we are aiming for something extraordinary,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks. “The lead role of Detective Christian Walker is an extremely layered character and we needed Jason, who was so brilliant in films like Narc and Rush, to bring him fully to life. He is pitch perfect for this role and we are honored that he chose FX for his first foray into episodic television.”
The pilot, written by Charles H. Eglee (The Shield, Dexter, The Walking Dead) and to be directed by Michael Dinner (Sons of Anarchy, Justified), begins production in July in Chicago. Eglee and Dinner serve as Executive Producers along with Bendis, Oeming and David Engel. Sony Pictures Television and FX Productions will co-produce.
Powers is a high concept crime procedural where the detectives police the brutal and sensational crimes surrounding super power beings, while illuminating the weaknesses and strengths of humanity in the process. Powers follows the life of “Christian Walker” (Patric), a homicide detective devoted solely to cases that involve “powers” (people with superpowers). The pilot also stars Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher) as “Deena Pilgrim,” Walker’s partner; Charles S. Dutton (Roc) as Walker’s indefatigable boss, “Captain Cross”; and Bailee Madison (Just Go With It) as “Calista,” an acerbic 10-year-old girl drawn into Walker’s life.
Patric recently concluded a successful run on Broadway, starring in the revival of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play That Championship Season, with Chris Noth, Kiefer Sutherland, Brian Cox and Jim Gaffigan, directed by Gregory Mosher. The play, originally presented in 1972, was written by Patric’s father, Jason Miller.
Patric is represented by David Unger of ICM, Jason Weinberg of Untitled, and Bloom Hergott.
Patric’s feature film debut came in 1987 when he appeared in the comedy-thriller The Lost Boys. Other film credits include After Dark My Sweet, Rush, Geronimo: An American Legend, Sleepers, Narc, and Your Friends and Neighbors, which was the first feature Patric produced for his production company, Fleece. Some of Patric’s other theater credits include the Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Neil LaBute’s Bash, Beirut, Out of Gas on Lover’s Leap, The Tempest, Henry V and Love’s Labor Lost.
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 99 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, an established film library of acquired box-office hit movies, and an impressive lineup of acquired hit series.
