Francis Lawrence Brings Kings To NBC

Filmmaker Francis Lawrence is moving to television to executive-produce and direct Kings, an NBC pilot that updates the biblical story of King David and sets it in modern-day America. “It takes place in an alternate reality,” Lawrence said in an interview in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 30. “Basically, it takes place in New York City, but it’s not [our] New York City, and it takes the story of David, starting with David and Goliath, [and] transplants it into a modern world. And it’s the story of him being chosen to be the new king, and the king trying to have him basically assassinated.” Lawrence, who directed the feature films Constantine and the upcoming Legend, will helm the pilot. Michael Green (Heroes) wrote the script. NBC gave a green light to the pilot’s production last month.