HBO is currently developing a new series that takes a look at the Showtime era of Los Angeles Lakers when Jerry Buss used to be the majority owner of this basketball team, and they found the perfect leading man in character actor John C. Reilly.
Michael Shannon, who was originally cast as Buss, exited the project due to creative differences, but Reilly quickly jumped on board. He joins Jason Clarke, who’s previously been cast as Jerry West in this pilot.
The series will be based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s and tell the story of Lakers’ success during Showtime era, which defined this team for decades to come.
Jerry Buss, who purchased the team in 1979, was the key figure in Lakers’ long history because he managed to redefine American sports as we know it with his revolutionary ideas.
Adam McKay, who collaborated with John C. Reilly on several occasions in the past, will be in charge of directing the pilot and stay on board as an executive producer if HBO gives it a green light.
