'Ocean's 13' writers signed for hedge fund series

The screenwriting team behind "Ocean's 13" have signed on to pen a new HBO series that the producers of "Entourage" are developing about a group of hedge fund managers, according to Crain's Television Week. "Entourage" creator-executive producer Doug Ellin revealed details of the project to TelevisionWeek during the exclusive weekly Backlot Talk podcast. Writing partners Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who also wrote "Rounders," will write and create the New York-based show, Mr. Ellin said. The ideal goal is to shoot something "before the winter is out" and premiere the series along with the fifth season of "Entourage" next summer, Mr. Ellin said, but "nothing is set in stone." The network is committed to a pilot script for the project at this point, according to an HBO spokesman. Mr. Ellin said he is hoping Mr. Koppelman and Mr. Levien will write fast, but that the duo could be delayed by other projects on their docket, including the feature script "Frankie Machine," expected to be directed by Martin Scorsese with Robert DeNiro toplining. With the recent conclusion of "The Sopranos," viewer and industry interest in HBO's new series pipeline has escalated. "Entourage" is the most viewed series currently airing on the network. Mr. Ellin and fellow "Entourage" executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson made a deal last year to develop the hedge fund show. The trio is slated to executive produce it. Mr. Ellin told TVWeek that the massive amounts of money hedge fund managers make and the life they tend to lead allured him. "The amount of wealth being created so fast we think is an interesting world," Mr. Ellin said. In addition, the Long Island, N.Y. native said he wanted to do a show in New York.