Apple’s push to generate original television content gets a major new player, as the tech company signs Fast & Furious and Star Trek: Beyond director Justin Lin to multi-year deal. The filmmaker has been in demand on the television side of things for several years, as Lin has produced (and often directed the pilot episodes of) series such as CBS’s S.W.A.T. and Magnum P.I. reboots, as well as the recently canceled Scorpion. With those successes under his belt, in addition to the billion dollar-grossing entries in the Vin Diesel franchise, the filmmaker will head to Apple to produce series under his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner. 

To its credit, Apple has gotten exceedingly good at luring big name talent to its television division, despite the absence of actual scripted television shows (Carpool Karaoke and Planet of the Apps don’t count). At present the tech giant has managed to generate buzz with alleged shows, like For All Mankind, a space-race drama from Ron D. Moore that will star Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman (Patriot), and Sarah Jones (The Path). Apple is readying a thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that will star Lauren Ambrose and Rupert Grint. Perhaps the biggest series is the as-yet-untitled morning news show drama starring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carell. 

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As reported by Deadline, Lin and Perfect Storm Entertainment have been tapped to develop, produce, and even direct new shows that will appear as original content from Apple. At present, there’s no word on what shows Lin might have in the pipeline, or how his brand of action-adventure will fit into the company’s rumored PG-only content, but it’s a good bet the tech giant has its best people at the ready to deliver press releases the moment a new show is “in the works.”

M. Night Shyamalan and Rupert Grint Apple TV Series

So far, the content Apple appears to be producing sounds appealing for a variety of reasons, and the casting — or in the case of Lin, producing — announcements are a sign that things are headed in the right direction, but with little physical evidence that these shows will one day air on iPhone, iPads, and Apple TVs everywhere, it’s okay if you don’t feel like holding your breath. 

For Lin, though, the deal is a big win. Should his shows come to pass, they’ll likely bring a significant audience to Apple’s fledgling original content game. Until then, fans can still check out his shows on CBS, or wait for when his martial arts series, Warrior, from creator Johnathan Tropper (Banshee) premieres on Cinemax next year. 

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Source: Deadline