Elijah Wood to star in FX comedy pilot

By Elizabeth Guider

Elijah Wood has inked to star opposite Jason Gann in the FX comedy pilot "Wilfred," which is based on an Australian series of the same title. (See a clip from the series after the jump)

"Wilfred" marks Wood's first starring role in series television. The "Lord of the Rings" star will play the character Ryan; Gann, who co-created and starred in the Aussie series, will play the title character.

David Zuckerman ("Family Guy," "American Dad," "King of the Hill") wrote the adapted pilot script and serves as executive producer. He described "Wilfred" as a comedy "about a guy (Wood), the girl next door and a mixed-breed dog, Wilfred, who is part Labrador Retriever and part Russell Crowe on a bender."

The pilot will be directed by Randall Einhorn ("The Office," "Parks & Recreation"), and lensing is scheduled to begin this summer.

Other exec producers are Rich Frank, Paul Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park ("Royal Pains") and Joe Connor and Ken Connor of Renegade, producers of the Aussie version of the comedy. Gann will serve as co-exec producer.

Wood next will be seen this fall in Galt Niederhoffer's "The Romantics" opposite Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel and Anna Paquin. Wood also has lent his voice to George Miller's "Happy Feet 2," which will be released in 3D in 2012. He's repped by WME and Brillstein Partners.

"Wilfred" is produced by FX Prods.

FX's next comedy series "Louie," starring Louis C.K., was to premiere Wednesday night following the sixth-season bow of "Rescue Me."