According to Deadline, Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade, Bad Santa) is in talks to take the lead role in David E. Kelly’s Amazon Studios courtroom drama series “Trial,” which has received a confident 10-episode straight-to-series order from the emerging content provider.
Thornton apparently stepped into the part after early talks with Kevin Costner fell through. The “Fargo” Golden Globe-winner will play Billy McBride, a former hotshot lawyer who lost his wife and practice after he turned to alcoholism in wake of a lost case involving an innocent child who was murdered. When McBride goes head-to-head in a case against his former law firm partner Cooper he begins to regain his former ambition.
Kelly is best known as the mastermind behind other hit lawyer-centric shows like “The Practice,” “Ally McBeal,” “Boston Legal,” and “L.A. Law,” as well as the notorious failed “Wonder Woman” pilot. He’s also behind HBO’s upcoming limited event series “Big Little Lies” starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.
David Semel, who recently directed the pilot for Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle,” is expected to direct the pilot for “Trial” as well.
Thornton will next be seen on the big screen opposite Sandra Bullock in the political dreamed Our Brand is Crisis, as well as Martin Campbell’s submarine thriller Hunter Killer.
