Zadan & Meron Sign with CBS, Develop for Lifetime

Daily Variety reports that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, producers of the movie-musical Hairspray, are currently in the midst of developing a pilot production deal with CBS.

"Prolific pair are also reaffirming their telepic roots, reupping a long-running deal with Sony Pictures Television to produce movies and minis for the smallscreen. They've set up four projects at Lifetime under the deal," states the article, "The Sony deal will keep duo in business with the studio for longform through mid-2009. It cements a relationship in place since 1994."

CBS – which produced Zadan and Meron's successful made-for-TV movie Gypsy – guarantees the production of one of at least three scripts penned for the network by Zadan and Meron.  Previously, Zadan and Meron were based at ABC Studios, developing for Disney.  Both are still working with ABC and ABC Studios, recently helming "A Raisin in the Sun" and a rumored Diane Warren-inspired series.

Four projects are already lined-up for Storyline as Lifetime movies through their Sony deal.  They include "HERE 2," by Vivienne Radkoff, which tells of a doctor pioneering  groundbreaking breast cancer treatment.  An untitled project by Liz Egloff and co-executive producer Maggie Greenwald will detail Jane Aronson's life and her efforts in international orphan adoptions.

Zadan and Meron have also carried over new projects from other networks to Lifetime, including Larry Andries' in-development "Going the Other Way," about a gay baseball player Billy Bean. Alan Poul is executive producing with Zadan and Meron.  Plus Matt Heller and Heather Rutman are retooling "Blue Lagoon" for a Lifetime audience.

Hairspray, had the biggest opening weekend gross for a musical-movie and has made over $118 million domestically.  Zadan and Meron are now aiming for the Christmas Day release of Rob Reiner and Warner Bros.' The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.  Zadan and Meron recently received accolades from the Motion Picture Club and will be honored October 22 with the Hollywood Film Festival's producers of the year award.