Paul Haggis, Don Cheadle and Bobby Moresco will be among the producers for Starz

The movie "Crash" -- no, not the David Cronenberg one -- is set to become a small screen series.

The Oscar-winning best picture will be Starz' first original drama series, returning much of the film's behind-the-scenes talent, including director, co-writer and producer Paul Haggis, co-writer and producer Bobby Moresco, producer Bob Yari, producer Don Cheadle, producer Mark R. Harris and executive producer Tom Nunan.

"'Crash' introduced a whole range of fascinating characters and engrossing, intertwined stories that are ideally suited for developing into a TV series," says Stephen Shelanski, Starz executive VP of programming. "Starz is the premium channel for movies so it's appropriate that this best picture-winner is providing the basis for our first dramatic series. The fact that key members of the film's production team are involved will ensure that our series maintains the high level of talent and creativity captured in the film."

Originally developed for FX several years back, the "Crash" series has already been ordered for 13 episodes with production set to begin in the spring.

"I'm very happy that Lionsgate and Starz have decided to develop 'Crash' into a series," Haggis says. "Ironically, my initial impulse was to present the material in a format for television. I am thrilled it's coming full circle and can't wait to see how it expands and transforms."

In its feature incarnation, "Crash" had an ensemble cast featuring Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Thandie Newton and Ryan Philippe. We somehow doubt that Starz will be able to wrangle that sort of talent, though the creative team isn't worried about coming up with storylines.

"This series will present an opportunity to delve into many subjects, not just race relations in LA," Cheadle says. "I don't think you can do 13 episodes on that subject and keep people interested. The challenge will be to craft the series characters in such a way as to get beneath the skin that supposedly differentiates them and create entertaining story lines that show the hurdles and obstacles we all struggle to overcome day to day."

In addition to its best picture win, "Crash" also won for Haggis and Moresco's screenplay and for editing.

Starz made its first foray into original comedies with the recent launch of "Head Cases" and "Hollywood Residential."