Ellroy Confidential

		*HBO can't keep 'Confidential' WB shopping show (Variety)*

		By JENNY HONTZ, April 29, 1999 HBO has pulled the plug on its upcoming TV version of “L.A. Confidential,” which was in advanced development at Warner Bros. TV and Regency TV. Warner Bros. had already hired a writing staff, led by executive producer Walon Green, who had also just inked an overall deal worth about $3 million at Warner Bros. TV. Two actors, David Conrad and Melissa George, had been cast in lead roles. While HBO had given every indication that it planned to pick up 13 episodes of the series, sources there said negotiations never formally concluded, and “creative differences” ultimately led the cabler to pass. Warner Bros. is now planning to shop the show to other networks. The TV series was an adaptation of Curtis Hanson’s 1997 Oscar-winning detective film about corruption in the 1950s L.A. police department. The fact that the drama was a pricey period piece also factored into HBO’s decision. The film, produced by Warner Bros. and New Regency, was based on the book by James Ellroy. HBO is owned by Time Warner, and the project was intended to be the first Warner Bros. TV series for its sister cable web. Warner Bros. is still working on the George Clooney-produced comedy series “Kilroy” for HBO. Despite HBO’s nixing “L.A. Confidential,” Warner Bros. strongly believes in Green, who was an executive producer of “ER” and “Law & Order,” as well as a producer/director of “Hill Street Blues” and a co-executive producer of “NYPD Blue.” Green has written or co-written films including “The Hi-Lo Country,” “Eraser,” “Robocop 2” and “The Wild Bunch.” He’s repped by Paul Haas at ICM and manager Lou Pitt.