Hoblit back on the beat

'NYPD' pilot director reteams with Bochco

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Hoblit

Bochco

Feature helmer Gregory Hoblit ("Hart's War") is returning to his small-screen roots, signing on to direct and exec produce the pilot for Steven Bochco's futuristic cop drama that's in the works at Fox Broadcasting.

Emmy winner Hoblit helmed the pilot of Bochco and David Milch's "NYPD Blue," so there's some poetry in the fact that Hoblit will direct Bochco's new Paramount Network Television project, which revolves around a present-day Gotham cop who finds himself transported to 2069 New York City (Daily Variety, Aug. 16).

After spending 18 months on "Blue," Hoblit ankled the show to focus on his feature career -- and he hasn't looked back since. In addition to "Hart's War," Hoblit's list of feature credits includes his debut film, "Primal Fear," as well as "Frequency" and "Fallen."

But the chance to work with Bochco and scribes Matt Olmstead and Nick Wootton on this project was too "sweet" to turn down, Hoblit said. It also helped that he had a window in his schedule between now and next summer, when he's skedded to start production on his next feature.

"When Steven sat down with me and presented the idea he had in mind for this show, I said, 'That's just a fantastic idea,' " Hoblit said. "Then he invited me to participate with him in bringing it to life, and it was a real easy call. And it's nice to work again with a friend whom I'm very fond of."

Bochco said Hoblit was a natural choice for the upcoming pilot.

"He is a consummate director and a brilliant producer," he said. "Our relationship goes so far back that we're able to share a shorthand in producing."

Hoblit said a major reason he signed on was because the skein Bochco envisions is grounded in reality rather than in sci-fi special effects.

"It's not going to be a series all eaten up with bells and whistles and technology," he said. "It'll be character- and story-driven, and that's what made it worth jumping back into the fray."

Bochco has asked Hoblit to stay with the project beyond the pilot stage should Hoblit's sked allow it. Hoblit said it's too soon to say if he'll be able to commit beyond the pilot, but Bocho has been "very generous" in leaving the "door very wide open" to that possibility.

Hoblit's TV credits include Bochco's "L.A. Law" and "Hill Street Blues." He has snagged nine Emmy awards and three Peabody Awards.

Deal was brokered by WMA and Don Walerstein.