Networks Prepare To Chase Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell TV Series About 'Barbary Coast'

Movie stars coming to TV has been the latest trend for the last few years but the star power behind "The Barbary Coast," is extremely bright.

The series from uber-producer Mark Gordon looks at the early history of Gold Rush-era 1849 San Francisco. Oscar winner Mel Gibson will direct the series, in addition to co-writing and having a recurring role. Gibson's "Tequila Sunrise" co-star and friend Kurt Russell will star, as will Kate Hudson.

Right now, the series doesn't have a home but that won't be the case for long as it is hard to imagine a streamer like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) or Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) wouldn't be chomping at the bit to steal this away from a linear network like Time Warner (NYSE: TWX)'s HBO. Gordon's company currently oversees such hits as CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS)'s "Criminal Minds" and Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) ABC's "Quantico," so it wouldn't be a shock if a traditional broadcast network also showed interest.

"Coast" is being adapted from the book of the same name by Herbert Asbury who also penned the novel "Gangs of New York," which was adapted into Oscar nominated film back in 2002.