Nellie Andreeva

Wilmer Valderrama20th Century Fox TV has signed a one-year development and talent holding deal with Wilmer Valderrama. Under the pact, the studio will develop a project for the That ‘70s Show alum to star in and produce. Valderrama will start meeting with writers next week and will consider both comedy and drama projects. He may also bring his own show ideas or opt to board a project that is already in development at the studio. If the project Valderrama is attached to does not get a green light, 20th TV can cast him in another pilot for next season.

The deal extends Valderrama’s relationship with 20th TV. He had a similar development/holding deal during the 2010-11 season, which resulted in his casting on the studio’s NBC drama series Awake. Before that, he starred in 20th TV’s hourlong comedy pilot for Fox The Emancipation Of Ernesto, and was attached to star in another 20th comedy project for Fox inspired by the work of “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan. He is now about to start a guest arc on the 20th/Fox comedy series Raising Hope where he will play Melanie Griffith’s boyfriend. “Wilmer is that great cousin who is funny and charming and talented, and you want him to come to every gathering,” 20th TV’s head of casting Sharon Klein said. “He is a breath of fresh air, all light and fun and smart.”

Valderrama, repped by UTA, The Collective and attorney Michael Gendler, is creator/executive producer of MTVTres’ Ricardo Laguna Project and webseries King Of The Floor for Electus’ Youtube Channel NuevOn. He will next be seen in Spike Lee’s The Girl Is In Trouble. This is the second high-profile talent/development deal for 20th TV this season. The studio also has a pact with Hilary Duff.

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