HBO's "Luck" Dustin Hoffman + Michael Mann + David Milch

[WyldeMan45]

Milch + Mann + Hoffman = Awesome?

I was already intrigued by HBO's "Luck" due to the presence of "Deadwood" creator David Milch (one of the smartest and most talented writers to ever work in TV), a subject (horse racing) Milch is passionate about, and then the presence of Michael Mann as a producer and director of the pilot. (Like Martin Scorsese on "Boardwalk Empire," I don't know how much Mann will be involved past the pilot, but it's gonna be a damn good-looking first episode.)

And late yesterday came news that Dustin Hoffman is going to play the lead, which is one of the biggest casting coups HBO has ever had. It's been a while since he was able to successfully carry a movie, but the guy is still a two-time Oscar winner, portrayer of some of the most iconic movie roles of the 20th century, and still a great actor when he's motivated to do so. (He's also still a big enough name that, as "Parks and Recreation" producer Mike Schur tweeted last night, Hoffman would more or less lock up the Emmy for lead actor in a drama for however long he'd be on the show.

Dustin Hoffman is set to play Ace Bernstein, an autodidact caught up in gambling on the horse-racing circuit who recently completed a four-year prison sentence. Dennis Farina has also been cast as Bernstein’s driver, Gus Economou, a man of “dominant volatility” who is devoted to his boss. John Ortiz rounds out the cast as Turo Escalante, a Peruvian trainer based on Julio Canani.

[WyldeMan45]

There is no way I am the only one excited about this show, considering the incredible talent infront of, and behind the camera.

[WyldeMan45]

This show just keeps getting better and better!!!

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Nolte -- TV star turned film star turned TV star again? Years ago he burst upon the scene in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. Now I'm hearing that Nolte is about to join the cast of Luck, that David Milch-created HBO drama about the horse race world. Milch and Michael Mann are exec producers, and Mann is directing the pilot. The deal isn't done yet, but I hear Nolte is already "mucking the stalls" at Santa Anita racetrack where the drama will unfold. Dustin Hoffman already signed to star, along with Dennis Farina and John Ortiz. Milch and Mann are exec producers with Carolyn Strauss and Henry Bronchtein.

How has HBO had such luck with Lucky? Landing a feature director like Mann was a big step. Mann has said that Milch's script is one of the two best ever handed to him--the other was Eric Roth's script for The Good Shepherd, which Robert De Niro wound up directing. Mann reached out to Hoffman to play lead character Ace Bernstein, a freshly paroled track fixture. They met years ago, when Hoffman was going to direct the prison drama Straight Time and Mann did uncredited script work. Mann hadn't worked with Nolte before but his longtime casting director Bonnie Timmerman did and Nolte is agreeing to play The Old Man, a formerly famous trainer. Farina, who plays Ace's right hand guy, has been with Mann since Farina transitioned from law enforcement and made his breakthrough in Crime Story. Ortiz starring in Public Enemies and Miami Vice for Mann, and he'll play Escalante, a Peruvian trainer of acknowledged accomplishment and sordid repute.

[WyldeMan45]

And again.......more awesomeness ensues! Where the hell are you people!?!?

Kevin Dunn has been tapped to co-star on HBO's drama pilot "Luck," with "Rome" alumna Kerry Condon and Tom Payne also set and Nick Nolte in talks for the horse drama starring Dustin Hoffman.

"Luck," from Michael Mann and David Milch, takes a look at the worlds of horse racing and gambling through a diverse group of characters surrounding a racetrack. It centers on an intelligent, intuitive tough man (Hoffman) who always has been involved with gambling.

Dunn will play the prodigious misanthrope who is the ringmaster of a syndicate of misfits. Nolte would play the trainer of a top racehorse. Condon will play the exercise rider for the horse who is interested in Bug Boy (British actor Payne), an apprentice jockey.

The quartet joins previously cast Hoffman, Dennis Farina and John Ortiz.

Dunn, who next appears in Tony Scott's "Unstoppable," in negotiations to reprise his role as Ron Witwicky in the third "Transformers" film. He is repped by Gersh and Lighthouse.

For Nolte, "Luck" marks the first TV project since his breakthrough role on the 1976 miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man."

[WyldeMan45]

Like I ever had any doubts this would be picked up. Kind of surprised though with this much talent involved, nobody but me is interested.......

Milch, Mann, Hoffman land HBO series

HBO has given a series order to "Luck," a new drama with an A-list pedigree.

The series has "Deadwood" scribe David Milch writing the script, Dustin Hoffman in the lead role and Michael Mann directing the pilot. (With those kind of auspices, you don't need much luck to secure a greenlight).

"Luck" is billed as provocative look at horse racing – the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players.

“Michael Mann delivered a pilot from David Milch’s brilliant script that took our breath away,” said HBO programming president Michael Lombardo. “We are truly excited that these two artists, and our extraordinary cast headed by Dustin Hoffman, will be bringing 'Luck' to life.”

The show begins production this fall at Santa Anita and other Los Angeles locations.

The rest of the cast: Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Kevin Dunn, Richard Kind, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens and Nick Nolte.

Executive producers are Milch, Mann and Carolyn Strauss; co-executive producer Henry Bronchtein and producer Hoffman.

[WyldeMan45]

It's been 7 months since I've heard anything about this and while I always welcome some McGinley casting news, the fact that this still might not premiere for another year is annoying. I was expecting this by summer....what a slow process for a show that I couldn't imagine would have any special effects to incorporate....Also surprised considering all the talent involved, 7 posts in and I'm still the only person looking forward to this? Come on....

Scrubs' Dr. Cox Gets Lucky

Scrubs fans are in luck: John C. McGinley is headed back to the tube.

The erstwhile Dr. Cox has landed a recurring role in Luck, HBO’s upcoming horse racing drama from David Milch and Michael Mann and starring Dustin Hoffman. The highly anticipated series promises to take viewers inside the provocative world of horse racing, with a specific spotlight cast on the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players.

McGinley will play a genial swindler working in cahoots with his daughter.

Luck is slated to premiere in late 2011 or early 2012.

[SammyJankis]

Dustin Hoffman and David Milch? Um, yes please!

I can't say I'm too enthusiastic when it comes to Michael Mann. He has been rather hit-or-miss for me, mostly miss.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Dustin Hoffman and David Milch? Um, yes please!

I can't say I'm too enthusiastic when it comes to Michael Mann. He has been rather hit-or-miss for me, mostly miss.

Definitely share that vibe with you Mann is very hit or miss, mostly miss with me, but Hoffman, McGinley, Milch, Nolte? Very excited for this but I first started this thread LAST MARCH and now 11 months later find out it could be another 12 months away? Is it just me or is 2 years from announcement to premiere a bit much for even cable?

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

It's been 7 months since I've heard anything about this and while I always welcome some McGinley casting news, the fact that this still might not premiere for another year is annoying. I was expecting this by summer....what a slow process for a show that I couldn't imagine would have any special effects to incorporate....Also surprised considering all the talent involved, 7 posts in and I'm still the only person looking forward to this? Come on....

I don't get HBO since the only thing I would really watch on there is True Blood. I'm fine with buying it rather than paying for HBO. That is one reason why I ignored this thread since you posted it. The other reason is, like you and somebody else stated, Michael Mann has been hit or miss. More hit than miss with me, but the only one that has hit enough for me to own is Heat.

Now that I placed my order last night for Deadwood and I'm excited to eventually watch it for the first time, David Milch being involved along with now knowing about some of the cast has my attention. If it turns out to be a pretty good show like it should, then maybe Deadwood and True Blood will have some company in my TV show collection on Blu-ray as far as HBO shows go.

[nolook]

this show looks great...im a michael mann fan esp heat and miami vice...

[Wyndam]

Finally some footage!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8yOQJ288GQ

As expected, it looks stellar. It's been way to long since David Milch has been on HBO.

[WyldeMan45]

Thank you Wyndam!! I was starting to think after 13 months that this project didn't actually exist, lol. I'm in!

[WyldeMan45]

We finally have some footage to see here. The racing scenes are pretty action packed, gives the viewer the feeling they are on the horse. Anybody who's ever been and at full gallop knows what a rush that can be.

Footage

[Wyndam]

Great footage. This is going to be one beautifully shot show. Is there any word on when this will premiere? I know HBO likes one major show on at a time, so I imagine after Boardwalk Empire finishes up Season 2?

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Wyndam

Great footage. This is going to be one beautifully shot show. Is there any word on when this will premiere? I know HBO likes one major show on at a time, so I imagine after Boardwalk Empire finishes up Season 2?

Most likely, I'd imagine it'll be around Christmas time or early January.

[Tom Hiddleston]

Hmm I don't know, Dustin Hoffman is a terrible actor.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Fenris

Hmm I don't know, Dustin Hoffman is a terrible actor.