ABC Orders Drama Pilot From Independence Day Director

Roland Emmerich ABC has ordered a drama pilot from Independence Day and 2012 director Roland Emmerich, Variety reports. The project, ABC's first drama pilot pick-up for the 2012-2013 TV season, takes place in NY during the presidential race of 2012. During this time, a young astrophysics student learns his destiny lies not in the field of science, but somewhere between heaven and hell. ABC nearing deal to pick up Kirstie Alley comedy pilot Emmerich wrote the script with 2012 screenwriter Harald Kloser and will direct the pilot. He will executive-produce with Mark Gordon (Criminal Minds) and Nicholas Pepper. Emmerich co-created the short-lived TV alien invasion series The Visitor, which ran for 13 episodes on Fox in 1997.