Oliver Stone inks TV deal with Epix

2:22 AM PDT 10/14/2010 by Georg Szalai, AP

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First project with Bruce Wagner will be drama 'Still Holding'

NEW YORK -- Oliver Stone and writer Bruce Wagner have struck a development deal with Epix, with their first project being a one-hour scripted dramatic series titled "Still Holding," based on Wagner's novel.

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The series for the premium TV service, which is run by Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM, revolves around "the colliding worlds of three disparate people in Los Angeles and the violent consequences of love and betrayal, of holding on and letting go," Epix said. Stone and Wagner will executive produce. They worked together on the six-hour sci-fi/drama miniseries "Wild Palms," which aired on ABC in 1993.

"I'm interested in the possibilities in television," Stone said. "When a company like Epix comes along, it's a chance to break new ground. They want to make their mark. They want to entertain and provoke; they don't want their drama or comedy watered down."

Said Epix president and CEO Mark Greenberg: "Epix offers a unique canvas for talent to fully realize their creative vision across multiple screens on television and online. We're thrilled that filmmakers and writers have flocked to our network with bold, daring concepts."

Epix didn't say when the series might be ready.

The company has struck six carriage deals with TV distributors to date, most recently with Dish Network. It also has ramped up work on original fare. It recently shot a pilot for the Nashville dynasty drama "Tough Trade," starring Sam Shepard and Lucas Black; "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan serves as an executive producer. Epix also recently announced the half-hour technology tycoon satire "iCon" from Larry Charles, who is co-writing the script with the creator of the popular Fake Steve Jobs blog.

Stone also has worked on other TV projects. CBS Corp.'s Showtime, which played a role in the creation of Epix when it didn't renew output deals with the Epix backers, previously announced 10-part documentary miniseries "The Secret History of America" by Stone, which is slated for this year.