While he might be name-checked as often as someone like John Goodman, Billy Bob Thornton is certainly in the realm of Coen Brothers players. He bagged roles in “The Man Who Wasn’t There” and “Intolerable Cruelty,” and also starred in the Coen-produced “Bad Santa,” but it has been a decade since they’ve worked together. But now they’re aligning on a project that’s certain to raise a few eyebrows.
In case you forgot, last year word popped up that FX was gearing up a limited series based on the Coens’ smash hit and critical wonder “Fargo,” and this past spring it was greenlit. Well, the wheels are truly spinning now as Thornton is now on board to star in the show that will be executive produced by the Coens and Noah Hawley (“Bones,” “The Unusuals“), who penned the show. Plot details are being kept under wraps but the only link it’ll have with the movie is the “Minnesota nice” attitude (and probably the setting) as it will tackle a whole new “true” crime story across ten episodes. (While “Fargo” opened with a title stating it was based on a true story, the plot was entirely made up.) Thornton will be taking the role of Lorne Malvo, a part similar to that of Steve Buscemi in the film.
No word yet on exact air dates but we presume you should keep your eyes peeled for 2014. [Deadline/Variety]