Edward James Olmos has been cast in Fox’s “Urban Cowboy” pilot, joining previously announced stars Jim Belushi and “Sense8’s” Alfonso Herrera.
The pilot, which follows a pair of young lovers — played in the film by Travolta and Debra Winger — will be directed by executive producer Craig Brewer. Olmos will play Alfonso “Al” Robles, a former hitman for the Mexican cartel and uncle to Herrera’s character Kyle.
“In the 35 years since I made the original Urban Cowboy, country music and the influence of Texas has gone stratospheric,” said Robert Evans, producer of the original film, in a statement when the pilot was first announced. “The timing could not be better to continue this story in the television world… And what an ace team of collaborators we have on board to make it happen.”
Evans, Sue Naegle and Chris Levinson are also executive producers on the remake, which is a co-production between Paramount TV and 20th Century Fox Television.
TVLine first reported the casting.