Gaumont teams with Petersen, brings David & Goliath series to Cannes

Gaumont International Television has inked a deal with movie director Wolfgang Petersen and the pair will make a new drama series about the ancient ruler of Israel, King David.

Petersen’s movie work includes Troy and The Perfect Storm. He will direct the one-hour drama King David, which does not yet have a broadcaster. Gaumont will be at MIPCOM next week looking for new partners for the project, which will be written by Hatfield & McCoys scribe Ron Parker, who will also executive produce.

The series will follow the life of the shepherd-turned-king.

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring one of the oldest, greatest epic stories to life in television, where the story can truly breathe,” Petersen said. “Many people think of David’s legacy in terms of ‘David & Goliath’, but that’s only the very beginning of his journey. From there, David emerges as one of the most complex, ambitious, conflicted and deeply human figures in world history, as well as one of its greatest icons.”

Gaumont will also be in town talking to partners about Monsieur de Paris. It has teamed with filmmakers Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy for the series, which follows an executioner in 1930s Paris. The Gilroys co-wrote the The Bourne Legacy feature film and this is their first move into TV.

Gaumont International Television’s sales arm will be shopping new seasons on NBC series Hannibal and Hemlock Grove (pictured) at the market as well as the upcoming Canal+ series Barbarella.