August 2015 – Todd Robinson Film

CINEMA BLEND
by Jessica Rawden

Mark Harmon And CBS Are Joining Forces For A Navy SEAL Show

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Mark Harmon has had a pretty good thing going over at CBS, thanks to headlining NCIS and acting as an executive producer on both NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans. Now, the actor and producer wants to get further in bed with the eye network. On Tuesday, we learned Harmon is working with CBS to bring a Navy SEAL sniper drama to the air. The project is called The Red Circle.

So far, CBS has only signed on for a script commitment for The Red Circle, but we do know a little bit about the project. First and foremost, it is based on the New York Times bestseller The Red Circle: My Life In The Navy SEAL Corps And How I Trained America’s Deadliest Marksmen written by Brandon Webb and John David Mann. The book follows the true-to-life experience of Brandon Webb, a marksman who has both worked in the field for a SEAL team, as well as acted as the Course Manager for the Navy SEAL Sniper Program. The program will take a look at some of the “difficult” and “demanding” actions military members must take as a Navy SEAL.

THR says that Harmon will executive produce the project and Webb is actually on board to produce. Todd Robinson, who has written Lonely Hearts and Night and Day, is writing the script for CBS Television. Altogether, it’s a pretty solid lineup of talent.

The project comes a year after American Sniper made a big impact, both critically and financially. Clearly, the Clint Eastwood film was a big box office hit, and since CBS is always on the lookout for the type of project that will appeal to the masses, The Red Circle seems as if it could be a good fit, especially since the military is typically a good sell with older audiences. With Mark Harmon on board and CBS likely willing to shell out for talent as well, the final product will have every chance to succeed.

At this point in the development stage, however, it’s really too early to start getting excited. Even the projects with the best talent don’t always come together for whatever reason. There are just so many moving parts that all need to work for it to move forward, including getting a good script, the right budget, a pilot order and a competent pilot. Not to mention the right actors need to be cast. Basically, it’s an uphill battle, but if there’s anyone who is a good bet right now at CBS, it’s Mark Harmon.

Whatever ends up happening, we’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, you can take a look at what else CBS has coming up this fall.

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
August 18, 2015 12:16pm PT by Lesley Goldberg

Mark Harmon, CBS Developing Navy SEAL Drama ‘The Red Circle’ (Exclusive)

Based on the best-seller by former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb, who will produce.

The American Sniper effect is continuing to stretch into television.

CBS is teaming with Mark Harmon to develop Brandon Webb and John David Mann‘s New York Times best-seller The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America’s Deadliest Marksmen, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. CBS has handed out a script commitment to the drama.

The CBS drama is told through the point of view of an experienced but newly promoted Navy SEAL who has joined a troubled platoon. The story is inspired by Webb’s experience serving with SEAL Team 3, Naval Special Warfare Group One Training Detachment sniper cell. He completed his last tour at the Naval Special Warfare Center Sniper Course, where he served as the West Coast sniper course manager.

Harmon will executive produce the drama through his CBS Television Studios-based Wings Productions. Todd Robinson (Lonely Hearts) will pen the script and exec produce. Webb will produce.CBS’ drama will tell a story about attempting to accomplish difficult, demanding and dangerous things while holding on to principles, values, integrity and achievement.

Harmon, who stars on CBS’ NCIS and exec produces the flagship series as well as spinoff NCIS: New Orleans, is repped by Paradigm and attorney Barry Axelrod. Robinson is with Paradigm, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Stone Meyer.The Red Circle comes as broadcast and cable networks have put sniper fare high on their radar following the box office success of Bradley Cooper‘s American Sniper. USA Network has set Ryan Phillippe to star in a reboot of Mark Wahlberg‘s Shooter while NBC recently greenlit The Reaper, based on the memoir by former U.S. Army sniper Nicholas Irving.