In an exclusive report by the Deadline, it has been learnt that broadcast network HBO’s next venture will focus on the race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
The WarnerMedia outlet has optioned rights to journalist Brendan Borrell’s forthcoming book The First Shot. The book is about the companies involved in the research, the science of vaccines and challenges regarding access and safety.
Borrell has written about the novel coronavirus pandemic for National Geographic, Wired and Science.
Adam McKay (Succession) will be developing the book as a limited series via his Hyperobject Industries for HBO. He will be joined by Todd Schulman and Borrell as the executive producers.
The First Shot will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which recently won the book at auction. A publication date hasn’t been set yet.
Meanwhile, for McKay, the vaccine project falls under his lucrative overall deal at HBO, signed last year.
Hyperobject Industries has several projects in the works with the leading cable outlet, including a limited series about the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers; Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown’s upcoming book about serial sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; and an adaptation of Bong Joon Ho’s best picture winner Parasite.
Meanwhile, season three of his most successful production, Succession, is tentatively set to begin production later this year.
McKay is also developing a scripted anthology series about climate change for HBO’s streaming arm HBO Max.
Source: Deadline
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