The 'Harry Potter' helmer will take over the director's seat for the drama pilot from Lee, who bowed out of the project due to exhaustion.
- Jun 13, 2013
AceShowbiz - FX has enlisted another notable filmmaker to handle its high-profile pilot, "Tyrant". After two-time Oscar winner Ang Lee bowed out the project, David Yates is now tapped to direct the drama pilot.
"Tyrant" was supposed to be Lee's first foray into television, but the "Brokeback Mountain" helmer decided last month to withdraw from his commitment to direct the FX pilot because he needed some rest after making "Life of Pi". "Because I cannot give 100|percent| to this exciting project at this time, I cannot allow myself to do anything that may affect the potential for this exciting new series," he explained.
Coming from "Homeland" producers Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff as well as "Lost" writer Craig Wright, the drama revolves around an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation. Raff wrote the script.
Yates rose to mainstream prominence after directing the final four "Harry Potter" films. He won the Directors Guild of Great Britain Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement through his work on 2003's "State of Play" and directed the 2004 Emmy-winning TV movie, "The Girl in the Cafe".
