Tradecraft: Comedy Central Books Comedy Spies

Deadline reports that Comedy Central is finalizing a pilot order for a series called Black Jack from Pineapple Express director David Gordon Green. According to the trade blog, Michael Starrbury's script centers on covert operative Black Jack who, "after 20 years as the most kick-ass special ops agent the US government has had on its payroll, finally goes too far and is de-commissioned. He's sent home to begin the most treacherous mission he's ever faced -- normal life." Green will direct the pilot and produce the series along with Starrbury, Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Matt Reilly. Green's latest movie is Your Higness, starring McBride and James Franco, but before he fell in with this comedy crowd he was better known for stark indie dramas like George Washington and All the Real Girls. I thought Pineapple Express (whose script contained a great Thunderball joke that didn't make it into the final film) was one of the best blends of action and comedy that I've ever seen, so he's probably the right guy to helm a spy comedy. The pilot order is still cast-contingent, meaning the cable net has to approve the star. I really wish they could afford Kiefer Sutherland, because I'd love to see him send up his Jack Bauer image!