WEST TO DEVELOP PARAMOUNT TV SERIES
Copyright 2001 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ October 22nd 2001 ]

Lara Croft Tomb Raider Director Simon West has inked a seven-figure, multi year deal with Paramount Network Television to create, develop and produce a series of TV programs via his Wychood Production banner.

"After doing a few movies, I realized I yearned for the speed of television again," West told Variety Magazine during an interview today. "You can think of an idea, and in the space of a few weeks, it's on the air. These huge movies take two years to make, without even counting development. That's a long time to tell one story."

Simon West, whose career began with the BBC in London producing television documentaries, stressed the importance to direct the pilots of any potential series. "I really want to put my stamp on it," he said. "If my name's going to be on something, I want to be proud of it." While not committing any details, West says that his first project will be the development of a detective series "with a very unusual twist."

This latest marriage with Paramount Studios comes months after helming Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Paramount Pictures motion picture based on the video game of the same name, which assaulted the Paramount summit during the summer. Kathy Lingg, Network TV VP of drama development, said the studio was "excited to be in business with Simon West. We have a great respect for his talent and look forward to his vision and creativity."