Showtime scores Ridley Scott to direct the pilot episode of its new series The Vatican

Ridley Scott may honestly be the busiest man in the film business, or at least close to it – matched (but not eclipsed) only by the likes of Guillermo del Toro or Steven Spielberg, he directs as much as he can and produces whatever he cannot.  And whether or not you’re a fan of his storytelling choices, I don’t think it can be denied that for every five projects he becomes attached to and then abandons, the one he picks to press forward with always ends up a beautiful mess at the very least and a cinematic triumph at the very most.

Which bodes well for Showtime, as the channel has attached Scott to direct the pilot of the first series they have elected to pick up this season.  Titled “The Vatican”, it is “described as being a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics – set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church [and] will explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world’s most hidden institutions.” 

Paul Attanasio (DONNIE BRASCO, “House”) will pen the hour-long pilot, and Executive Produce alongside Scott and David Zucker (“The Good Wife”).  Surely to be full of as much fact as it is dramatic fiction, the series’ description coupled with the creative team behind it sound to me to have all the makings of a fascinating and unique storytelling opportunity.  More as we hear it regarding casting and air date and all that.