HBO Max has decided not to move forward with American Blue, the Milo Ventimiglia-led drama pilot that filmed in Joliet and Chicago earlier this year.
The story may not be over, however.
According to Deadline, Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the project, plans to shop American Blue to other potential buyers following HBO Max’s decision.
The news is particularly disappointing for Illinois because American Blue was not simply using the state as a production location. Joliet was built directly into the story.
Ventimiglia stars as Brian “Milk” Milkovich, a native son who returns to his hometown of Joliet to help rescue a struggling police force while confronting his own need for redemption.
Production on the pilot began in late April, with crews filming extensively in Joliet as well as Chicago. Joliet itself was prominently featured, with production taking advantage of recognizable streets, neighborhoods and other local locations rather than attempting to disguise the city as somewhere else.
That made the prospect of a series order especially significant for the Illinois production community. Had American Blue moved forward at HBO Max, the project had the potential to establish another recurring television production in the state, with Joliet occupying a rare position as both the filming location and the actual setting of the series.
Warner Bros. Television will seek another home
There is still reason for some optimism.
Warner Bros. Television is reportedly taking American Blue out to other buyers rather than shelving the project. Its format could potentially make that search easier.
The drama was developed under the production model used for HBO’s The Pitt, built around seasons of 15 or more episodes, relatively modest episode budgets and an annual release schedule. That structure could make American Blue viable for either a traditional network or another streaming platform.
The pilot was written by Jeremy Carver and directed by David Ayer.
Ventimiglia leads an ensemble that includes Kelly Jenrette, Carlito Olivero, Onye Eme-Akwari, Jess Gabor, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Paulina Olszynski, Algee Smith, Jeremy Bobb, Rich Sommer, Jesse Garcia, Wrenn Schmidt, Ellyn Jameson and Maisie Merlock.
Carver executive produces alongside Brian Udovich, Neil Reynolds and Ayer. Ventimiglia serves as co-executive producer, with his longtime producing partner Russ Cundiff producing.
The project also has a particularly strong Joliet connection through Udovich, who is a native of the city. During production, local crew members and extras were involved in the shoot, while filmmakers worked throughout Joliet to capture imagery specific to the community.
For now, HBO Max’s decision means Illinois will not get the series order many had hoped would follow the spring pilot shoot.
But American Blue is not dead yet.
With Warner Bros. Television actively seeking another home for the drama, there remains a possibility that Milk Milkovich could still return to Joliet.
