Fargo - FX Greenlights Limited Series

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/fx-greenlights-fargo-limited-series/

UPDATED: FX has given the green light to the first limited series under the cable network’s push in that programming area — an adaptation of Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1996 comedic crime drama Fargo.

The Coen brothers are exec producing Fargo, which was written/executive produced by The Unusuals and My Generation creator Noah Hawley. Warren Littlefield also executive produces the project, which will be co-produced by MGM Television and FX Prods. Production will begin in the winter for a spring debut. The Fargo movie starred Frances McDormand as a pregnant Minnesota police chief who follows the trail of two bumbling criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) hired by a car salesman (William H. Macy) to kidnap his wife. The indie earned seven Oscar nominations, winning two statuettes — for the Coen brothers’ script and McDormand’s performance. FX put the project in development in September.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/tca-billy-bob-thornton-to-topline-fxs-fargo/

TCA: Billy Bob Thornton Cast In FX’s ‘Fargo’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

UPDATED: Billy Bob Thornton is set to star in FX’s first limited series Fargo, executive produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. A 10-episode limited series inspired by the Coens’ 1996 film, FX’s Fargo will feature an all-new true crime story, with the series following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that were the film’s trademark. Thornton will play Lorne Malvo, a rootless, manipulative man who meets a small town insurance salesman and sets him on a path of destruction. The character draws parallels to Peter Stormare’s Gaear in the movie. FX CEO John Landgraf confirmed that Fargo will end with its 10th episode and the characters won’t continue beyond the 10-episode run but a Fargo anthology franchise ala American Horror Story is “conceivable”. Produced by FX Prods and MGM TV, Fargo was written by Noah Hawley, who exec produces with the Coens and Warren Littlefield. MGM Television will be the lead studio and handle worldwide distribution of the series outside the U.S. and Canada.

 

[Asgard]

Awesome. I loved Fargo.

 

[Matt]

If it is a follow up and not a remake (as seems to be the case), they need to get McDormand back.

 

[Shifty]

I hope it becomes like AHS and each season is a different story set in Minnesota/North Dakota (period piece, present day) with some characters popping in from the previous season(s).

They won't be filming in Minnesota or North Dakota it will will either take film in Calgary, Alberta or Winnipeg, Manitoba (which is a few hours away from Minneapolis and Fargo).

 

[Sawyer]

Also...

http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/adam-bernstein-to-direct-fxs-fargo/

Adam Bernstein To Direct FX’s ‘Fargo’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

Emmy-winning veteran TV helmer Adam Bernstein (30 Rock, Breaking Bad) has signed on to direct the premiere hour of FX’s first limited series Fargo, executive produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. A 10-episode limited series inspired by the Coen’s 1996 film, FX’s Fargo will feature an all-new true crime story, with the series following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic. Produced by FX Prods and MGM TV, Fargo was written by Noah Hawley, who exec produces with the Coens and Warren Littlefield. ICM Partners-repped Bernstein will also serve as executive producer on the premiere episode. MGM Television will be the lead studio and handle worldwide distribution of the series outside the U.S. and Canada.

Some great episodes of Breaking Bad in his credits.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/martin-freeman-to-star-in-fx-limited-series-fargo/

Martin Freeman To Star In FX Limited Series ‘Fargo’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman is set as the co-lead opposite Billy Bob Thornton in FX’s first limited series Fargo, executive produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. A 10-episode limited series inspired by the Coens’ 1996 film, FX’s Fargo will feature an all-new true crime story, with the series following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” of the film. It centers on Lester Nygaard (Freeman), a small town insurance salesman henpecked by his wife, whose life is changed when a mysterious stranger, Lorne Malvo (Thornton), comes to town. The Lester role draws parallels to the character played by William H. Macy in the movie. Fargo was written by Noah Hawley, with Adam Bernstein set to direct the opening hour. FX Prods. and MGM Television are producing, with Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Joel & Ethan Coen, and Geyer Kosinski exec producing.

 

[chamber-music]

I can picture Freeman as a henpecked husband. Freeman does unadventurous put-upon everyman better than anyone. It is Freeman's thing.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/col...fargo-jim-piddock-cast-in-e-pilot-the-royals/

Dexter alum Colin Hanks has signed on to co-star opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman in FX’s first limited series Fargo, executive produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. Inspired by the Coens’ 1996 film, FX’s Fargo, from FX Prods and MGM TV, features an all-new crime story and characters. It centers on Lester Nygaard (Freeman), a small-town insurance salesman henpecked by his wife, whose life is changed when a mysterious stranger, Lorne Malvo (Thornton), comes to town. Hanks will play Duluth Police Deputy Gus Grimly, a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Hanks, repped by UTA and The Schiff Co, co-stars in the upcoming feature Parkland.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/fargo-kate-walsh-casting-fx/

FX’s ‘Fargo’ Adds Kate Walsh, Joey King And Josh Close
By THE DEADLINE TEAM

EXCLUSIVE: Kate Walsh, Joey King and Josh Close have joined the cast of Fargo, FX‘s first limited series. Joel and Ethan Coen are executive producing the 10-episode series inspired by their 1996 pic, with the new incarnation featuring a new story and characters. FX Prods and MGM Television are producing, with writer Noah Hawley, Warren Littlefield, and Geyer Kosinski also exec producing. Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Oliver Platt and Colin Hanks already are aboard.

Walsh will play Gina, a trophy wife-type and reluctant mother of twin sons. The one-time star of ABC‘s Private Practice will next be seen this fall in Neil LaBute’s DirecTV series Full Circle and her upcoming feature roles include Lorne Michaels’ Staten Island Summer and the indie thriller Dermaphoria. She is repped by CAA and Evolution Entertainment. King, who just finished shooting Zach Braff’s Kickstarter-born pic Wish I Was Here, will play Greta, the daughter of Hanks’ police deputy, a single father who comes face-to-face with a killer. She is repped by Dan Spilo at Industry Entertainment and Coast to Coast Talent Group. Close will play Ron, the brother of Freeman’s small-town insurance salesman Lester Nygaard. The casting reunites Close and Hawley, who worked together on ABC’s The Unusuals. Close, repped by Untitled Entertainment and Don Buchwald & Associates, was most recently in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and FX’s Justified.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

So basically 'The Killing' taking place in the snow?

 

[Sawyer]

Sure.

Oh, wait, nope. It's based on something that preceded The Killing by over a decade.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Sure.

Oh, wait, nope. It's based on something that preceded The Killing by over a decade.

It's called a joke. Hence the emoticon. Christ.


Try to be less predictable, Sawyer. When I was typing that I knew you'd have some sarcastic response to my facetious remark and I knew it'd be along these lines too.

 

[jacobed]

I live in Fargo, so I can't wait for this

 

[Sawyer]

It's called a joke. Hence the emoticon. Christ.


Try to be less predictable, Sawyer. When I was typing that I knew you'd have some sarcastic response to my facetious remark and I knew it'd be along these lines too.

You used it wrong.

Be better next time.

 

[Sawyer]

Bob Odenkirk, Glenn Howerton and Oliver Platt Join

Better Call Saul.

 

[Sawyer]

First Look photos:

http://www.spoilertv.co.uk/images/F...o+-+First+Look+Promotional+Photos+(1).jpg.php
http://www.spoilertv.co.uk/images/F...o+-+First+Look+Promotional+Photos+(3).jpg.php

 

[Wolfwood]

What a weird thing to turn into a miniseries, but I'm excited.

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Wait, Martin Freeman's in this?

Interesting...

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/tca-fx-sets-april-premiere-date-for-fargo/

TCA: FX Sets April Premiere Date For ‘Fargo’
By THE DEADLINE TEAM

At today’s TCA, FX Networks announced that its limited series Fargo will premiere on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 PM. Stay tuned for more from the panel.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fxs-fargo-cast-eps-film-671050

FX's 'Fargo' Cast, EPs on Film Comparisons, Anthology Format, Courting Billy Bob Thornton
3:30 PM PST 1/14/2014 by Lesley Goldberg

"The movie now fits into the series as another true crime story from the region," showrunner Noah Hawley says at TCA. "I don't think you need to it watch before [watching the series], but I think you should watch it because it's a great movie, but you don't need to."

FX is headed to Fargo this April but the limited series from My Generation's Noah Hawley is a not a retelling of Joel and Ethan Coen's 1996 best picture Oscar nominee.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, Hawley said the Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman starrer takes the tone of the feature film and was inspired by what happens after Frances McDormand's ace sheriff Marge Gunderson wakes up the day after solving the case depicted in the movie.

"We know tomorrow will be a normal day and that innocence and small-townness is what makes us feel good after the movie ends," Hawley said. "It seemed like the wrong idea to make a Picket Fences idea show where something cooky happens every day. That's not a Coen model. She's not going to be same person after seeing so much dark stuff."

The 10-episode limited series will follow an all-new "true crime" story with a new case and characters, all seeped in the humor, murder and "Minnesota nice" of the original. Thornton stars as Lorne Malvo, a decidedly more serious heavy than the one portrayed by Steve Buscemi in the feature; Sherlock's Freeman steps into the role of the bumbling salesman Lester Nygaard that was played by William H. Macy. Newcomer Allison Tolman brings a new twist on McDormand's clever cop.

Hawley noted that the series, which he approached as a 10-episode movie, will stand on its own for anyone who has not seen the original Fargo.

"After a season or two of the show, people who see the movie might say that was a great episode of Fargo. Each season is a separate true crime story from that region. The movie now fits into the series as another true crime story from the region," Hawley said. "I don't think you need to it watch before [watching the series], but I think you should watch it because it's a great movie, but you don't need to."

Producers noted that the Coen brothers -- who don't typically produce other people's work -- were given the choice to put their names on the FX drama and were impressed by Hawley's script. (The showrunner penned every episode of the series.)

"TV is not their medium as they've said, and they told me to go ahead and make my show," he said. "We showed them the first show and Ethan said, 'Yeah, good.' "

Added Thornton, who has worked with the COens on The Man Who Wasn't There and Bad Santa: "When Ethan says, 'Yeah good,' he's over the moon."

For Thornton, meanwhile, committing to Fargo was an easy decision after he read the script. The Sling Blade Oscar winner was attracted back to television after what he cited was a gaping hole in the film industry for his peers.

"The entertainment business can pretend all they want but the movie world has changed drastically, particularly in last five to six years. When I was coming up, if you went to TV from film, it meant something was wrong so you may as well be on Hollywood Squares. Now it's the opposite," he said.

Thornton referred to guys like Dennis Quaid, Bill Paxton, Kevin Costner and Kevin Bacon -- or the actors he came up with who he joked are "in their early 30s" -- were used to doing midlevel studio and high-budget indie films in the 1990s and early 2000 but those projects no longer exists as the studios have shifted to event movies and broad comedies. "One way or the other, television has now taken that spot. For actors who really want to go good dramatic work or dark humor and drama, you have to do it on TV," he said. "It's great way to develop character over time. I'd seen The Wire and thought TV was headed in good direction."

"What's on TV now is actually like the movies that we were doing. It's inevitable that actors are going to go to TV now,"he said, calling the pilot script for Fargo "flawless.""If you want to be a celebrity, then just go to the dentist in Beverly Hills and punch somebody. If you want to be an actor, get on a really good series on TV because that's where it's at."

As for the future of the series beyond the pilot, Hawley said his Fargo will follow what happens to Freeman's Lester following a shocking decision he makes during the premiere but it's not a whodunit or mystery. "Joel and Ethan said polite society is often the most violent and I was interested in taking a man like Lester who is so squeezed by life that it's pushing him to the point where he might snap," he said of the ensemble piece. "How does that man deal with the aftermath of that? … There's an infection that takes place between Lorne and Lester and … we're heading for a big collision at the end of the thing."

As for what a potential second season would look like, Hawley said he's already planning to tell a new story but Fargo isn't like FX's Ryan Murphy-Brad Falchuk anthology series American Horror Story in which actors would return to play new parts for a completely different premise.

"You look at the Coens' A Serious Man, which is a more philosophical movie where you have to accept the mystery and that's a great template for a crime story: that broader element of randomness and real world details that are stranger than fiction," Hawley said.

Fargo premieres Tuesday, April 15 at 10 p.m. on FX.

 

[Sawyer]

Episode 1.01 Promo Photos

Billy Bob Thornton's character looks creepy as ****.

 

[jacobed]

So this is basically a sequel. Huh I thought it'd just be inspired by the movie. I'm pretty excited

 

[Sawyer]

[YT]uj5LRr2Zzy4[/YT]

 

[Kaleb]

Comedians Key and Peele join cast


whaaaat!

 

[Sawyer]

[YT]6jFU0r0xG_c[/YT]
Ohhh, yah.

 

[Shifty]

Looks great, can't wait to watch this every week.

April and May are going to possibly have the best collection of TV dramas of the year with Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Hannibal, Orphan Black, The Americans plus the debuts of Fargo and Turn.