One Giant Leap: Apollo 11 series from Barry Levinson, Kevin Costner prepares for liftoff

Houston, we have new limited series that’s executive produced by Kevin Costner preparing for liftoff.

Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Toys, Sleepers) is attached to direct, with Stephen Kronish (24) and Mike Medavoy (Zodiac) producing. Kronish will also script and showrun the series that will tell the story of the moon landing.

One Giant Leap will explore one of the most significant events in United States history, though from a different angle. In addition to following the mission, the series will take a hard look at the personality conflicts within the flight team. The group’s behavior nearly wrecked the mission before the shuttle even left the launchpad. The show will also look into high-level negligence on behalf of NASA’s psychiatrists, who ignored issues regarding Buzz Aldrin. Oh, there’s also that bit about how the Soviet Union tried to destroy Apollo 11 on its way to the moon. Who even does that?

The creative team is currently searching for actors to play astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins, and NASA psychiatrist Rachel Katherine Ludwig. They’ll want to lock these roles down before bringing the show to market.

“I thought I knew the Apollo 11 story. After reading this script it’s even more dramatic, absolutely fascinating, and certainly more human,” Levinson said.

“It’s the telling of the moon landing as more than one of the most stunning scientific achievements in history, but as the triumph of all-too-human beings over their own flaws,” added Kronish.

“I’m really excited to bring together this creative group.  I have been lucky to have worked with Barry on Bugsy and with Kevin on Dances with Wolves.  Collaborating on this project is a great opportunity to bring Steve Kronish’s work to life,” said Medavoy.

Are you prepared to go to the moon with Levinson and company? Let us know in the comments section down below.