Ridley Scott To Direct Pilot Episode Of Showtime's Religious Thriller 'The Vatican'

Television

by Kevin Jagernauth
December 21, 2012 9:56 AM
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While as a producer, Ridley Scott has been behind countless projects on TV, as a director, he hasn't gone behind the camera for anything on the small screen in over four decades. You would have go back to a 1969 episode of the show "The Troublemakers" to find Scott's name on the episode "If He Hollers, Let Him Go." Well, it looks something has finally lured Scott to dip his toes back into the format where he first tested his skill.

Showtime has announced that Scott will direct the pilot for "The Vatican." Penned by Paul Attanasio ("Quiz Show," "Donnie Brasco") the one hour show will be "a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics – set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church." So yeah, you might as well cue up the controversy this show will drum up from certain quarters. But it's easy to see why Scott, who helmed the messy "Kingdom Of Heaven," which was set against the backdrop of the Crusades, would be interested in this material. Of course, as a result, we're curious about a show that will "explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world's most hidden institutions." But let's hope it has a bit more depth than a Dan Brown novel.

Production on the show will begin in 2013, presumably once Scott wraps up "The Counselor," but no word yet on when it will air. [ComingSoon]

Television