LONDON: Sky One has acquired Next Action Star - billed as the ultimate elimination contest from renowned film producer Joel Silver. The 10-episode series airing on NBC in the US sets out to discover the action movie stars of tomorrow.
Silver - whose production credits include The Matrix blockbusters and action classics such as Die Hard and Lethal Weapon - and GRB Entertainment have combed the US on a eight-city search to find the "next Bruce Willis, Will Smith or Angelina Jolie."
From thousands of hopefuls, 16 contestants were chosen to take part in a competition testing their physical and psychological prowess as well as their acting abilities and star potential. The prize ­ the final pair, one male and one female - will be chosen to star in a television movie produced by Joel Silver himself, says a press release.
Flown to Los Angeles, the lucky 16 will live and train together for eight weeks in the same house under the constant vigil of the television cameras. The ambitious movie star wannabes will undergo training in everything from acting classes to weapons use.
At the end of every episode, each contestant will have to undergo a nerve-wracking action orientation screen test in front a panel of industry experts. The final two, decided in the series climax, will be crowned newest action stars.
Sara Ramsden, controller of Sky One, was quoted as saying: "Next Action Star will deliver a combination of the most successful elements of the reality TV format; capitalising on the drama of action filmmaking; and the drive and ambition of the contestants. In the hands of one of the world's most successful action movie exponents contestants are not going to be let off lightly in their bid for fame."
Joel Silver is executive producer of the reality series along with GRB's Gary R Benz; and Rick Telles and Cris Abrego of Brass Ring Entertainment. Silver Pictures Television's Gregory Noveck and Steve Richards will be the co-producers.