Lee Daniels, Danny Strong Hip-Hop Drama Scores Pilot Order at Fox

The duo from “The Butler” reunites on the small screen

Fox has ordered a hip-hop drama pilot — working title “Empire” — from director, writer and executive producer Lee Daniels.

The project is a family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire that will feature both original and current music.

Danny Strong will also pen and exec produce the pilot. Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo are also executive producers on the project as well.

Also read: Fox Orders 6 Episodes of ‘Weird Loners,’ 3 Other Comedy Pilots

The series will be produced by Imagine Entertainment in association with Twentieth Century Fox TV. Imagine and Twentieth currently have “Gang Related,” “24: Live Another Day” and “Those Who Kill” in production.

Daniels and Strong recently collaborated on “The Butler,” which Strong wrote and Daniels directed.

CAA reps Daniels, Strong and Imagine.

On Thursday, Fox also ordered six episodes of “Weird Loners,” as well as pilots for comedies “Dead Boss,” “Sober Companion,” and an untitled Ricky Blitt project. Last Monday, at Fox’s Television Critics Association winter press tour, entertainment chief Kevin Reilly announced that his network was exiting the traditional pilot season game in favor of more ordering flexibility year-round.

Comments