HBO’s Scorsese-Jagger ‘70s Rock Drama Ordered to Series, Still No Title

Well, we can’t say for sure as a high-profile project from the likes of Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger has ever gone so long through development without an actual title, but HBO officially likes the sweet sounds of “Untitled Rock ‘N’ Roll Project.” The Bobby Cannavale-led ‘70s drama has an official series pickup, with cast from the likes of Olivia Wilde to Ray Romano, and even a beloved ‘Legend of Korra’ star.

Previously titled ‘History of Music,’ the new drama stems from an idea by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, with Martin Scorsese on board to executive produce. Cannavale stars as Richie Finestra, a handsome and charismatic New Yorker who heads A&R at American Century Music and undergoes a crisis of character when confronted with a life-altering decision. From the show’s newly-christened logline:

Set in 1970s New York, the series will explore the drug- and sex-fueled music business as punk and disco were breaking out, all through the eyes of a record executive trying to resurrect his label and find the next new sound.

While Romano will take the role of Richie’s partner Zak Yankovich and Wilde Richie’s actress-model wife Devon, ‘Legend of Korra’’s P.J. Byrne will play Scott Levitt, the head of legal for American Century Records; joining Joe Caniano as Richie’s as longtime chauffeur and confidante Leo; and Andrew “Dice” Clay as Frank “Buck” Rogers, the obnoxious, cocaine-fueled owner of a chain of radio stations.

Additionally, the show features Ato Essandoh as Richie’s former singer colleague Lester Grimes, Robert Funaro as chief mob enforcer Tony Del Greco, James Jagger as Nasty Bits punk singer Kip Stevens, Birgitte Sorenson as Ingrid, a Danish actress favored by Andy Warhol and close friend of Devon, and J.C. Mackenzie as Skip Fontaine, head of sales for American Century Records. Lest we forget, there’s also Juno Temple‘s ambitious assistant Jamie Vine, Max Casella’s Julius Silver and Jack Quaid’s Clark Morelle.

Winter wrote the script for the pilot, joining Jagger and Scorsese as executive producers, along with Jagged Films partner Victoria Pearman and Scorsese’s manager, Rick Yorn. ‘Breaking Bad’ alum George Mastras will act as writer/executive producer, with ‘Boardwalk Empire’’s Terence Winter taking over as showrunner.

No word yet on exactly the show will premiere, or what the hold-up over the title is, but what do you think? Does “Untitled Rock ‘N’ Roll Project” seem as memorable and specific as its name would suggest?