Media Murder for Monday

MOVIES

Vince Vaughn optioned film rights to The Risk Agent, the first in a new series by author Ridley Pearson. The books and film are set in China and follow a firm specializing in the recovery of hostages.

Nate Parker and Keith Carradine joined the cast of the thriller Ain't Them Bodies Saints. They join stars Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Casey Affleck and Ben Foster in the Bonnie and Clyde-style film.

Breaking Bad star Dean Norris was added to Ridley Scott's crime drama The Counselor. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz were already on board the project about a lawyer (Fassbender) who becomes involved in cocaine trading on the Mexican border.

Omnimystery News posted the brief teaser trailer the BBC recently released with scenes from six of its upcoming dramas, all of which have a crime or suspense element.

TV

TNT optioned the "Rachel Knight" series of legal thrillers by Marcia Clark for television. The series follows Los Angeles district attorney Knight, who was introduced in the first novel, Guilt by Association.

The TV/film production company di Bonaventura Pictures is in negotiations for the rights to The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters for a TV series. The first in a trilogy, The Last Policeman offers a mystery set on the brink of an apocalypse as a killer asteroid heads toward earth.

FX Networks has ordered a pilot for The Bridge, based on a Nordic crime drama set in Malmö and Copenhagen. The original project follows the investigation of a murder victim found in the middle of a bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark, forcing the Swedish and Danish police to work closely together. The American version will take place in El Paso, Texas, and Juárez, Chihuahua, where the American and Mexican police must cooperate to hunt down a serial killer.

AMC has opted not to renew The Killing for a third year. Producer Fox TV Studios said it "will proceed to try to find another home for the show."

TV Guide notes that when Body of Proof returns to ABC this fall, it may feel more like Castle and Bones. Mark Vallly, (Human Target, Fringe and Boston Legal) is in discussions to play Detective Tommy Sullivan, a will-they-or-won't they sparirng partner for Dr. Megan Hunt, played by series star Dana Delany.

Former CSI star Laurence Fishburne will play Jack Crawford, the head of the FBI's behavioral sciences unit, on NBC's upcoming Hannibal, based on the Thomas Harris novels.

The BBC revealed a new trailer for the suspense thriller Hunted. Written and created by American writer Frank Spotnitz (The X Files, Strike Back) and from the producers of Spooks, Hunted is a mini-series set in the world of international espionage.

Netflix acquired rights to air the French crime drama Engrenages, which follows the actions of a police department headed by a female captain. An American version of the series is in development by Sam Mendes. (Hat tip to Omnimystery News.)

The 2012 Television Critics Association Award winners announced last week include: Outstanding New Program, Homeland (Showtime); Individual Achievement in Drama, Claire Danes (Homeland); and Outstanding Achievement in Drama, Breaking Bad (AMC).

Also announced this week: the winners of the 38th annual Saturn Awards, presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was named best horror thriller; Breaking Bad was named best syndicated/cable TV series, and also received Saturns for best actor on television (Bryan Cranston) and best supporting actor on television (Aaron Paul). The Saturn for best network series went to Fringe, and Fringe star Anna Torv picked up the prize for best actress. The Killing’s Michelle Forbest received best supporting actress, while Tom Skerritt was awarded best guest star for his appearance on Leverage.

From Hollywood Reporter, here's the complete broadcast premiere calendar for fall.

PODCASTS

Don Winslow appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition to discuss his new book, The Kings of Cool, a prequel to Savages, set in 2005 when Ben, Chon and O are just starting their business. He talks about how he develops his characters and his early days as a private investigator.