"Life on Mars" - U.S.A. Pilot - Leaked

[Malcontent]

Just a heads up. The pilot for the U.S. version of "Life on Mars" has been leaked onto the internet. It's on Usenet and Bittorrent.

[jones07]

Before Gore invented the "Internets", I had no ideal how much copying US studios did of overseas Movies and TV projects.

[mwhip]

Interesting because I have heard they are recasting roles and re-shooting scenes.

Still the preview looked good so I will give it a shot.

[Neenahboy]

These have been happening much earlier this year than last. :up:

[lambertman]

I'm still not sure about setting the show in the US, then casting two Irish leads.

[Rob Helmerichs]

I'm still not sure about setting the show in the US, then casting two Irish leads.
Then whatever you do don't watch Without A Trace! :D

[lambertman]

Hey, I like Irish people.

If they want to build a seperate identity from the UK version, it just seems odd that the main cast is European.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Are they using Irish accents?

[phox_mulder]

From what I've gathered, this is the original David E. Kelley pilot.

It didn't go well with preview audiences, David E. Kelley has left, and they are completely redoing everything.

Hence, this isn't the show we'll see in the fall.
But, still might be interesting to see the failed attempt.


phox

[Rob Helmerichs]

I'm still not sure about setting the show in the US, then casting two Irish leads.
Having now watched the first half hour, they're playing Americans. Pretty convincingly, too...Meaney has a bit of the Irish in him, but that's not inappropriate for an old-style Irish-American cop. And O'Mara is perfectly American.

Like I say, if you're opposed on principle to foreigners playing Americans, avoid Without A Trace at all costs! Half the cast is Australian or English.

[philw1776]

Whew! At least they're not Kiwis!

[emandbri]

Those who have seen it do they still have all the racism and sexism that is on the original? My husband it afraid it won't do well here because it isn't politically correct to show such things even if that is how it was in the 70s.

[TonyTheTiger]

What worries me about this show is that the original provokes memories of a much-loved series of the seventies called "The Sweeney".

It was one of the best cop shows ever made because it was gritty and realistic (at the time) and changed the way the whole genre was portrayed. Here, it was all Starsky & Hutch and Moonlighting, so there are no real comparisons. We'll see.

(Incidentally, there is currently a movie of The Sweeney currently in production starring Ray Winstone (Beowulf, The Departed) due for release in 2009).

[mwhip]

From what I've gathered, this is the original David E. Kelley pilot.

It didn't go well with preview audiences, David E. Kelley has left, and they are completely redoing everything.

Hence, this isn't the show we'll see in the fall.
But, still might be interesting to see the failed attempt.


phox

From E! online

Phil in Elk Grove, Calif.: Do you have any updates on the cast of Life on Mars, ABC's new fall drama? I heard recasting was in the works. Please tell me Lenny Clarke, Rachelle Lefevre and Colm Meaney from the original pilot haven't been canned!

Not sure about Lenny Clarke, but as of last week Rachelle Lefevre's role of Annie Cartwright and Colm Meaney's role of Det. Gene Hunt are back on the open market. Sorry.

[nedthelab]

I saw this pilot - they did a decent job not ruining it as most American translations go - Colm Meany is perfect for Gene Hunt.. but I just read Harvey Kietel will be coming on board as Gene when they go to full production - so are they reshooting? - not sure if this will work fom a casting point of view

[Rob Helmerichs]

Harvey Keitel is genius casting for Gene! I'm just amazed that he's doing regular series television...his career must be on the decline. Retirement fund?

[mwhip]

Looks like Gretchen Mol is about to be cast as Annie.

[thurston608]

Harvey Keitel is genius casting for Gene! I'm just amazed that he's doing regular series television...his career must be on the decline. Retirement fund?

Well, this gives me some hope. He's a great actor with an impressive track record and if he's willing to sign online to this show than it must be a quality product.