Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J Eye 'NCIS' Spinoff

Zap2It.com | February 5, 2009

Chris O'Donnell

Possible roles as a chameleon and a Seal

The upcoming "NCIS" spinoff has begun to gather its talent.

Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J are in negotiations to star in the much-anticipated "NCIS" spinoff, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The plan is that O'Donnell is going to play Callen, an average guy -- which of course makes him the perfect undercover chameleon, changing from one identity to the next. In turn, LL Cool J is eyeing the role of Sam Hannah, a tough but charming ex-Navy Seal.

As CBS President Nina Tassler had announced during the January press tour, the pilot for the new show will debut as an episode of "NCIS" this spring, just as the "NCIS" pilot started out as an episode of "JAG."

O'Connell has worked with CBS before as a guest star on "Two and a Half Men." His most recent TV credits are the TNT miniseries "The Company" and a stint on "Grey's Anatomy."

In 2006, LL Cool J signed a development deal with CBS, which led to the pilot "The Man."

In other CBS news, the network is courting Anna Friel -- of "Pushing Daisies" resurrection fame -- for their Washington-set political drama "House Rules." They'll have to get in line though, since ABC also wants her for one of their dramas, either "I, Claudia" or "Eastwick."