'Heroes' writer's pilot gets pre-strike go-ahead

NBC got one last pilot order in under the strike wire, greenlighting a drama from "Heroes" writer Michael Green.

The network has given the go-ahead to "Kings," which is Green's present-day take on the story of King David (and is not to be confused with the short-lived comedy "Four Kings," which as far as we know had no biblical connection). "I Am Legend" helmer Francis Lawrence is attached to direct, the showbiz trade papers report.

The story will be set in a city that's the seat of a modern-day kingdom. The central character, like David, will rise to fame after a heroic act: slaying the much bigger and more powerful Goliath. He eventually will take control of the kingdom.

Green has been kicking the idea around for some time. He wrote the script last year, but despite support within NBC and sister studio Universal Media Studios, the project didn't advance to the pilot stage. After Ben Silverman came on board over the summer, however, "Kings" got new life and was greenlit Friday, two days before the Writers Guild of America went on strike.

In addition to "Heroes," where he's a writer co-executive producer, Green has worked on "Everwood," "Smallville" and "Cupid." The pilot will be the first TV series for Lawrence, whose credits also include "Constantine" and numerous music videos.