'Pacific' Adds Directors, Tweaks Cast

Zap2It.com | August 16, 2007

Jon Seda

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Jon Seda moves up to starring role

HBO has begun rolling the cameras on its 10-part World War II miniseries "The Pacific" after signing up several directors and shuffling its cast.

The miniseries, which chronicles the experience of U.S. Marines in World War II's Pacific Theater, is scheduled to air in 2009. It's a companion piece to 2001's "Band of Brothers," which was set in Europe, and comes from the same producing team of Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman.

Co-executive producers Graham Yost ("Boomtown") and Tony To ("House") will each direct episodes; they, too, worked on "Band of Brothers," with Yost writing two episodes and To directing one and co-exec producing. Other directors include HBO veteran Tim Van Patten ("The Sopranos," "The Wire," "Sex and the City"), Carl Franklin ("Out of Time," "Devil in a Blue Dress") and Jeremy Podeswa ("Six Feet Under," "The Five Senses").

The production has also made a casting change. Jon Seda ("Homicide," "Close to Home"), who was initially cast in a supporting role, will move up to take one of the lead roles, that of Marine John Basilone. He replaces Val Lauren.

The cast also includes James Badge Dale ("24"), Joe Mazzello ("Raising Helen," "Jurassic Park"), Ashton Holmes ("A History of Violence") and Rami Malek ("The War at Home").

"The Pacific" is currently filming in Australia. Production is expected to continue through the middle of next year.