Sean Penn is certainly getting into TV these days.
He’s about to appear in a Hulu series called “The First” in which he’ll play the first astronaut to set foot on Mars. Of course, Matt Damon’s already been there, but please don’t tell Sean that. He’ll see Matt’s farm and tent when he arrives.
But now I can tell you that a long-aborning project has come together for Penn at The History Channel. This is a mini-series about President Andrew Jackson that was supposed to be for HBO. But I’m told it’s moved to The History Channel. The famed playwright and short story writer Donald Margulies is writing the script.
Jackson was the 7th president, following John Quincy Adams, whom he defeated. He served 8 years from 1829 to 1837.
His history is marked by great ups and downs, illnesses and scandals. His presidency’s biggest and longest lasting disaster was the moving of Native Americans from their land — the Indian Removal Act– in 1830. His story is rich with horrible things that should give Sean plenty of scenery to chew on– Emmy Awards here we come!
“American Lion” is based on the book of the same name by Jon Meacham.
