Derek Cianfrance Developing Bodybuilding Comedy for HBO

Derek Cianfrance, the director and co-writer of ‘Blue Valentine,’ is developing a single camera comedy about bodybuilding for HBO.
Deadline reports that the half-hour show, called MUSCLE, will be based on Muscle: Confessions of an Unlikely Bodybuilder, the wittily candid memoir of Sam Fussell that describes the four years he spent as a full-time bodybuilder after he graduated from Oxford University.

Cianfrance and Fussell will co-executive produce the project and co-write the pilot script, which Cianfrance will direct. ‘Blue Valentine’ producer Jamie Patricof will also be on board as executive producer, along with John Lesher and Adam Kassan.

It’s a great time for Cianfrance to launch a high profile project given how well ‘Blue Valentine’ is doing as it gains awards buzz and beats ticket sales expectations.