Jennifer Lopez film is coming to the small screen
ABC is bringing the Jennifer Lopez starrer "Maid in Manhattan" to the small screen.
The network is in negotiations for a series adaptation of the 2002 quixotic comedy to be penned by Chad Hodge and executive produced by Lopez, Joe Roth and the film's manufacturer, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.
The hourlong dramedy, which is getting a put pilot commitment, is not a remake of the hit feature, which centered on Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a struggling single mother from the Bronx who works as a maid at a swank Manhattan hotel, where a rising politician guest (Ralph Fiennes) falls for her after mistaking her for a affluent socialite.
"The read is a different maiden in a different Manhattan," Hodge said.
The lead in the TV version, produced by Sony Pictures TV, will still be a young Latina from the Bronx working at a Manhattan hotel who tries to make it in the earth. But the series will focus largely on her relationships with co-workers.
"While the hotel's clientele is an obvious part of this world, I'm more interested in the downstairs part of 'Upstairs, Downstairs,' " Hodge said, referring to the classic British series.
Hodge was approached with the idea of adapting "Maid" by Roth, whose company Revolution Studios produced the feature article, and Nina Lederman, chairperson of Roth's current company Joe Roth Television.
Hodge, world Health Organization had written a couple of ABC Family quixotic comedies, immediately connected with the idea.
"I imagine being a writer in Hollywood is often very similar to organism a amah in Manhattan," he said.
Lopez, a Bronx native, has been identical involved, providing "a fountain of ideas," Hodge said. "She will be identical integral in the pilot program and serial," he said.
In addition to Hodge, Lopez, Roth and Goldsmith-Thomas, Lederman and Lopez's producing spouse Simon Fields also volition serve as executive producers on the project.
This is the second time that ABC and Roth ar taking a stab at a series adaptation of "Maid," which grossed $93.8 zillion at the domestic box office. They developed a script with a different writer during the 2004-05 development season.
On ABC, "Maid" could be a desirable companion for the network's dramedy "Ugly Betty," which also centers on a hardworking young Latina in New York with large dreams.
Series based on features are hot at ABC this summer. The network also is developing a new shoot on the 1987 hit "The Witches of Eastwick."
"Maid" is the second high profile project for Hodge in the past few weeks following the sale of a Studio 54-themed play for Showtime that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are executive director producing and Bryan Singer is potentially directing.
"Maid" was packaged by WMA, which reps all parties involved.
Legal reps include Michael Fuller for Hodge, Bob Wallerstein for Lopez, Sam Fischer for Roth and Ryan Nord for Goldsmith-Thomas.
More info
