Jon Favreau is going into space with Seth MacFarlane.
The actor and director, whose lengthy IMDb profile includes the recent Jungle Book remake, two Iron Man films and indie darling Chef, is set to helm the first episode of MacFarlane’s yet-to-be-titled live-action Fox dramedy. He also will serve as executive producer and consult on the series after his directorial duties have wrapped.
The hourlong show, ordered straight to series in May, is set 300 years in the future and centers on the crew of the motley ship Orville as they explore the challenges of space and cohabitating with their colleagues. Friday Night Lights actress Adrianne Palicki recently signed on to star alongside MacFarlane. (Scott Grimes, Peter Macon and J Lee also have been cast.)
It’s hardly Favreau’s first foray into TV. The multihyphenate, a Hollywood staple since his Swingers breakout back in 1996, also directed the pilot episodes of the late NBC series Revolution and About a Boy, as well as a 2013 episode of The Office.
MacFarlane’s latest Fox show, which follows in the footsteps of largely animated efforts like Family Guy, is slated to bow at some point during the 2017-18 broadcast season. Production is set to begin in January.
Favreau is repped by CAA and Robert S. Getman of Jackoway Tyerman.
