"Pitch Perfect" star Skylar Astin has been cast to star in an upcoming, unnamed ABC NBA comedy pilot.
Variety has reported that, "The buddy comedy set in the world of professional basketball follows a non-English speaking rookie and a non-basketball speaking translator (Astin). An insider tells Variety that Astin, who's been in demand this season, locked down the role almost immediately."
The 27-year-old singer/ actor plays the role of Jason, a teaching assistant who can be described as "sweet yet wimpy." Being a bachelor who lives in his parents basement, he's tapped by an NBA manager to act as a translator to "talented but lazy recruit from Botswana" named Mo.
Being a little man in a field of giants, the comedy features the life of the out-of-place translator who realizes the role actually entails more than what he initially thought.
The script will be penned by David Windsor and Casey Johnson (Trophy Wife) with Dan Fogelman acting as executive producer alongside will exec produce alongside Mike Tollin, Peter Guber and Aaron Kaplan.
The pilot -- a single-camera comedy -- will be directed by John Fortenberry at the ABC Studios, Rhode Island Ave. The NBA has also been officially attached to the pilot project.
This follows Astin's recently canceled TBS sitcom titled, "Ground Floor" as well as his Broadway debut via the "Spring Awakening".
"Pitch Perfect 2"
Astin is set to reprise his role as Jesse in "Pitch Perfect 2," set to hit theaters May 15, 2015.
During an interview with Yahoo!, actress Elizabeth Banks, who played in a small role in the film and has returned to direct the sequel, divulged a few plot details for the upcoming film.
"The girls are now graduating seniors. They're coming to the end of their time as Bellas and figuring out how to sort of leave the nest and the comfort of each other's friendship and figure out what they're going to do with the rest of their lives."
The comedy-musical stars Astin along with Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Kelley Jakle, Katey Sagal, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Alexis Knapp, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam DeVine and more.
The original film "Pitch Perfect" grossed more than $113 million worldwide and its soundtrack did equally well having spent 28 weeks on the Billboard charts.
What do you think of the new role that Astin will play? Write your comments in the box below!
See the official trailer of "Pitch Perfect 2," the sequel to the 2012 smash hit.
