Scott onboard Showtime’s Vatican

Sir Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien, Blade Runner) is to direct the pilot for a new drama about the Vatican for US cable network Showtime.

Described as “a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics,” The Vatican is based on a script by Paul Attanasio (Donnie Brasco, House).

Production will start in 2013 and is going via Sony Pictures Television. Attanasio, Scott, and David Zucker (The Good Wife) will be the executive producers. Showtime said this will be Scott’s first ever pilot for TV.