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Posted: Tue., Sep. 26, 2006, 9:00pm PT

FX weighs in on gender ID

Cabler, Murphy take to transsexual

FX and "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy have made a deal for a new drama called "4 oz." that will follow the metamorphosis of a married sportswriter who is a transsexual.

Murphy will exec produce with Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner as Pitt makes his first series foray.

Murphy, who has begun writing a pilot episode he hopes to shoot early next year, told Daily Variety that he has mapped out a natural five-season arc for the series that also focuses on the gender-conflicted protag's teenage sons. FX prexy-general manager John Landgraf bought the project in the room after Murphy pitched it.

"The first season deals with the revelation of his secret," Murphy said. "In the second season, he begins dressing like a woman. The third covers the surgery, and his inherent doubts about going through with it, and by the fourth season, he's living as a woman and attempting to find love."

Murphy said "4 oz." refers to the average weight of a penis, remarkably light given the amount of havoc it creates for men.

He and his producing partners will enlist a studio and search for an actor to play the daring role.

Murphy involved Plan B's Pitt and Gardner because of the relationship developed as they produced "Running With Scissors," the drama he adapted from the Augusten Burroughs memoir, on which he makes his feature directing debut.

Pitt and Gardner are also the producers of "Dirty Tricks," a drama Murphy wrote and will direct about eccentric Watergate scandal figure Martha Mitchell, who'll be played by Meryl Streep. Murphy plans to direct that film next year for Paramount Vantage.

Murphy is repped by CAA.


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