Nia Long and Mike Epps have been tapped to star in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot, based on the classic John Hughes film starring John Candy, Uncle Buck. According to Deadline, the film is getting a makeover with veteran producer Will Packer at the helm. “Like the movie, the series adaptation, written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, centers on Buck Russell (Epps), a childish man who learns how to be an adult by taking care of his brother Will’s kids in a very childish way. Long will play Will’s strong-willed and smart wife.”
Unlike the short-lived ’90s CBS series (by the same name), starring Kevin Meaney, Packer flips the script by giving the lead to an African American (Epps). Packer, whose most recent was Ride Along, is known for producing hit feature comedy franchises with Black leads, like Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man Too.
Cragg, Bradley and Packer will executive produce, with Korin Huggins co-executive producing. This could be a real hit. Will you be watching?
