Spider-Man: Far From HomehelmerJon Wattsis set to direct the pilot and serve as an executive producer onJeff Bridges' spy seriesThe Old Man, which has also added six-time Emmy winnerJohn Lithgowto its cast, Collider has learned.
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name byThomas Perry, the FX series centers on “Dan Chase” (Bridges), who absconded from the CIA decades ago and has been living off the grid ever since. When an assassin arrives and tries to take Chase out, the old operative learns that to ensure his future, he now must reconcile his past.
Lithgow will play “Harold Harper," who is intelligent and tough, with deep reservoirs of compassion and ruthlessness, Harper is called back to service by the FBI after suffering a terrible personal loss, but he has a complicated past with rogue fugitive Chase, which makes him uniquely suited for hunting him down.
Written byJon SteinbergandRobert Levine,The Old Manwill be executive produced by both of them, as well asWarren Littlefield,Dan Shotz,David Schiff, Bridges and Watts. The series is being produced by Fox 21 Television Studios in association with The Littlefield Company, and the pilot is expected to start production this fall.
The Old Manserves as a reunion for Steinberg, Shotz and Levine, who are teaming up again after their four-season run making the Emmy-winningBlack Sailsfor Starz.Black Sailswas co-created and executive produced by Steinberg and Levine, and executive produced by Shotz.
Lithgow is in the middle of a big year, having played Jud Crandall in Paramount’sPet Semataryremake andEmma Thompson’s husband in Amazon’s underrated comedyLate Night. He also voiced an animated version of himself onThe Simpsons, and will soon be seen as the despicableRoger Ailesin Lionsgate’s Fox News dramaBombshell, which could thrust him into awards contention. He’s represented by UTA, Anonymous Content and attorney Walter Teller.
