'Transformers' Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura Sells Pair of Comedies to ABC (Exclusive)

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Lorenzo di Bonaventura

Prolific feature film producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has sold his first TV comedy projects.

The Transformers producer has sold a pair of single-camera comedies to ABC and is attached to executive produce both projects with Dan McDermott, his partner at their recently launched Di Bonaventura Pictures Television shingle.

The first project, The Wonderful Women of Will’s World, revolves around a charismatic man who tries to juggle his two ex-wives, his new younger wife and his three children.

David Diamond and David Weissman (When in Rome) are writing the project, with Di Bonaventura Pictures Television producing through their deal with ABC Studios.

Diamond, Weissman, di Bonaventura and McDermott (Human Target) are executive producing.

"Dan and I have been trying to find things we think differentiate themselves in the marketplace and this is idea that felt like we’d never seen this kind of show before," di Bonaventura told THR. "That’s what really drove us to go after it.

The second project, Blondie & Clyde, is described as a modern-day Laverne & Shirley and revolves around two women with big-town dreams who live in small-town Des Moines.

Di Bonaventura and McDermott will executive produce the ABC Studios project, with actress/writer/producer Marisa Coughlan (Lost and Found, Bones) attached to pen the script.

"Every year there’s tons of shows that feature girls in New York and L.A. and San Francisco, but where are the shows for the girls from the Midwest? Blondie & Clyde is an example of 21st century women who live in Des Moines, with big dreams for a big life," McDermott told THR. "It’s really fun and irrepressibly optimistic and upbeat."

Di Bonaventura and McDermott inked a three-year deal with ABC Studios in June. Di Bonaventura has produced such features as Salt and Imagine That. The former executive vp at Warner Bros. Pictures also launched The Matrix, Harry Potter and the Ocean’s Eleven franchises.

McDermott was the first topper at DreamWorks TV, and was behind series including Spin City, Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.

The duo previously sold drama Golden Gate to ABC with writer Michael Tolkin attached and are looking for more dramas and reality projects to add to their slate.

"Lorenzo and I both have substantial appetites and we’re going to do as much as we can do really well and with the enthusiasm and support of the network and studio," McDermott added.

Di Bonaventura Pictures Television is repped by CAA. 

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit

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