After co-starring on New Girl and feature Let’s Be Cops, the two are now developing The Henchman, a new comedy poised to star Wayans, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The single-camera comedy — written by Wayans and Johnson — would star Wayans as Norris, a man fighting to find the balance between his family and pursuing his dream of being a successful henchman. Wayans does not currently have a deal to star in the comedy, which landed at Fox with a script plus penalty commitment.
Vali Chandrasekaran (Modern Family, Trophy Wife, 30 Rock) is set to supervise and serve as showrunner on the 20th Century Fox TV comedy via his overall deal with the studio. Wayans, Johnson, Chandrasekaran and The Walcott Co.’s Max Winkler (New Girl) and Jason Carden will also exec produce.
Wayans Jr. has been a regular twice on Fox’s New Girl, after originating the role of Coach in the pilot before Happy Endings was renewed for a second season. He continues to pop in to the series here and there, and has become a sought-after star every pilot season since breaking out on Happy Endings. He most recently guest-starred on Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. On the feature side, he starred with Johnson in Let’s Be Cops and counts How to Be Single and Big Hero 6. He’s repped by WME and Rise Management.
Johnson, meanwhile, has been an active developer with Winkler and their studio-based Walcott banner, which is behind the Bachelor Party feature. Their TV credits include development projects 100 Grand, The Winklers and a Dan St. Germain project. He’s repped by UTA, 3 Arts and Jackoway Tyerman.
Should The Henchman move forward and Fox renew Lethal Weapon for a second season, Wayans Jr. would join his father, Lethal Weapon star Damon Wayans Sr., at the network.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
