ABC is in talks with actor Malcolm McDowell to star as the lead character in its remake of "Fantasy Island."
McDowell, who has starred in numerous films and TV projects over the years, including the series "Pearl" and films "A Clockwork Orange," "Star Trek: Generations" and "Caligula," has been tapped to play the Mr. Roarke-type host character in Barry Sonnenfeld's update of the 1970s series.
Columbia TriStar TV is producing. No deal with McDowell has been reached yet.
ABC is also expected to cast actor Jamie Kennedy ("Scream," "Scream 2," "As Good as It Gets") in Big Ticket Television's comedy pilot from Warren Bell ("Life's Work," "Ellen," "Coach") called "Charmed Life." The quirky ensemble comedy is set around the life of a guy whose dog is a soap opera star.
(Chris Petrikin contributed to this story.)
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com