ABC's 'The Wonder Years' is Now Casting in Atlanta
‘The Wonder Years’ is returning to ABC with a Black family.
The network is teaming with Lee Daniels (Empire) for a reboot of the coming-of-age comedy, which ended nearly 30 years ago.
Join Project Casting to access jobs you can apply for right now!The comedy will receive a pilot-production commitment and will open a writer's room once the network approves the script. The plan is for the new ‘Wonder Years’ series to be developed for the 2021-22 TV season.
The original series starred Fred Savage and centered around a white middle-class family in the 1960s. The new series will focus on how a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama live during the 1960s.
Writer Saladin K. Patterson, who has a long history including working on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘The Bernie Mac Show’ will write these scripts and executive produce with Lee Daniels. The original series co-creator will also work as a consultant. Fred Savage will also executive produce and direct episodes.
About The Wonder Years reboot
The Wonder Years reboot is headed to ABC. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney announced a formal pilot order to the reboot of The Wonder Years featuring a Black family with the Empire co-creator Lee Daniels. The original TV series starred Fred Savage and centered around a white middle-class family in the 1960s suburbs. ABC's new version will center around a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama, in the 1960s. Comedy writer Saladin K. Patterson (The Big Bang Theory, Frasier, The Bernie Mac Show) will write the script and executive produce the series with Lee Daniels and his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner president Marc Velez. The original TV series co-creator Neal Marlens is also signed on to work as a consultant. Fred Savage has maintained a long career after The Wonder Years will also executive produce the show and direct the pilot. The upcoming series is produced by Disney-owned 20th Century Fox, where Daniels and Fred Savage both signed overall deals. The Hollywood Reporter claims Daniels, Velez, Patterson, and Savage delivered the pitch directly to former ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke, who beforehand called out The Wonder Years as one of the shows that made her want to work in TV.As The Hollywood Reporter pointed out, reboots are becoming more popular in Hollywood. Reboots already have brand awareness and can help gain an audience in a TV landscape with more than 500 scripted series. They also help reduce the costs of marketing and promoting a show.
During an interview with The New York Times, Lee Daniels once criticized actors who supported the #OscarsSoWhite movement. Daniels argued that discrimination is not a problem in Hollywood. However, a strong work ethic is. “Go out and do the work. The Oscars are so white! So what? Do your work. Let your legacy speak and stop complaining, man. Are we really in this for the awards?” he said. “If I had thought that way — that the world was against me — I wouldn’t be here now,” he added. “These whiny people that think we’re owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me. I don’t expect acknowledgment or acceptance from white America. I’m going to be me.” This is not the first time Lee Daniels commented on race. Daniels once said that racism is not “real” because he doesn’t “embrace” it.The Wonder Years is now hiring crew in Atlanta, Georgia.
20th Century Fox is now hiring crew in Atlanta, Georgia. Producers are currently accepting resumes for all crew positions. To learn more and to apply click here.The Wonder Years Extras Casting Call
THE WONDER YEARS - NOW CASTING: MINOR PHOTO DOUBLE
Dates: Test Tuesday 9/21, Work Wed 9/22 & Fri 9/24
Rate: $150/12 (test pay $37.50/2)
Loc: Atlanta + Decatur, GA
- 8 - 15 Year Old MALE PHOTO DOUBLE: Looking for a girl who portrays AFRICAN AMERICAN, as close to these sizes as possible:
- height 5’1
- weight 140lbs
- Size medium SHIRT, 32X29 pants
As a condition of working on set, you are required to get a paid Covid-19 test at a production sanctioned testing facility prior to any work date(s). Additional testing may also be done on workdays.
While at the test facility and on set, Production requires that a face mask that covers your nose and mouth be worn. All possible work dates are contingent upon clearing these tests.
THE WONDER YEARS - Looking for REAL JAZZ TRIO
Rate: $350/8 (test pay $87.50/2)
Dates: COVID Test Tues 8/28, Fitting Wed 8/29, Film Thurs 8/30
Loc: Testing in Atlanta, filming in Stone Mountain
As a condition of working on set, you are required to get a paid Covid-19 test at a production sanctioned testing facility prior to any work date(s). Additional testing may also be done on workdays.
While at the test facility and on set, Production requires that a face mask that covers your nose and mouth be worn. All possible work dates are contingent upon clearing these tests.
- Role -Barber: Looking for actual barber or hair cutting experience! Must be able to portray African American male.
- Wednesday 8/18 = Testing
- Friday 8/20 = Fitting
- Monday 8/23 = Filming
- Role - Student: Looking for minors age 9-15 who are able to portray African American male and female. Students will be portraying students in our middle school class rooms.
- Role - Magazine Cover Girl: Looking for those who appear as female able to portray African American and Caucasian, portrayable as 25 - 35 years old. This is a still photo shoot for a featured magazine cover that appears in the episode.
SEEKING 9 - 12-year-olds for 1968 SCENE! Should be able to wear children's size: 8/10 or 10/12 or have up to a 24-25 waist.
MUST SATURDAY 4/3 from 9 AM - 9 PM *OR* Monday 4/5 at 9 AM!
Show: Untitled 1968 TV Pilot
Work Date: Tuesday 4/6 (must be on spring break this week!)
Rate: $100/8 for each filming date + $100/2 PER COVID Test
Covid Testing will be in Midtown Atlanta, GA - Filming will be in Atlanta, GA
Role: 1968 Student
We are looking for minors who can portray Caucasian boys and girls who are 9 years - 12 years old to play 1968 Students. If your minor is older, that's OK, but they must have no larger than a 24-25 inch waist. This is due to the vintage wardrobe restrictions.
In order to work, your minor must have a GDOL. The on-set adult taking them to set, must also get tested as well. You must wear a mask covering your nose and mouth, except while filming.
Minors submitting must not have a modern hairstyle or unnatural colored hair. Minors submitting must be comfortable getting their hair changed or altered to reflect a 1960's style.
As a condition of working on set, all talent is required to get a paid Covid-19 test(s) at a production sanctioned testing facility prior to any work date(s). Additional testing may also be done on workdays. While at the test facility and on set, Production requires that a face mask that covers your nose and mouth be worn. Must pass COVID test to work. Even if you test negative, you are not confirmed for work unless we send you details confirming shoot day.
