The casting for Adam McKay’s Untitled Showtime Lakers Project (originally known as Showtime but undergoing a title change apparently) has been fantastic so far, even if only one name has been announced: Jason Clarke as Lakers legend Jerry West. That choice — plus the fact that it’s a pilot being made for HBO plus the fact that Adam McKay, who has proven himself again and again recently, is directing and producing — makes this project feel like a must-see and I truly hope HBO decides to pick up the pilot and turn it into a full series.
Especially now that we know Michael Shannon will be involved. Shannon, one of the best, most intense, weirdest and most reliable actors alive, has been cast as former Lakers owner Jerry Buss. If you’re not a Lakers fan then you might not know much about Buss but, trust me, he is a integral part of Lakers history and still considered a damn God by most who worship the purple and gold. Buss was a successful businessman who owned multiple sports team and his fair share of Los Angeles. Sadly he passed away in 2013 but his legacy with the Lakers still lives on.
The casting of Shannon just goes to show how seriously McKay is taking this project. Shannon is no slouch, the guy is always one to watch. His level of intensity is always off the charts and he brings a sort of peculiar energy to all of his roles. Simply put, there’s just no one like Michael Shannon. That’s why casting him as Jerry Buss makes sense because there was no one like Buss either.
Untitled Showtime Lakers Project or Showtime or whatever it’ll be called will be about the 1980s Lakers, an era that redefined the team forever. The personalities were huge as were the ratings and the successes. It’s a story full of drama and LOTS of character and, if done correctly, will make for terrific TV. The casting so far has been spot-on and I can’t wait to see what Adam McKay has up his sleeve. Cast Kareem next, Adam!