Steven Spielberg, the man behind sci-fi movie classics like E.T and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, is producing an alien-invasion drama pilot for TNT. The unnamed series would potentially take place on Earth six months after evil aliens wipe out most of humanity.

We still don't know if Spielberg will direct the pilot, but the award-winning filmmaker reportedly wants to cast Noah Wyle to play the potential series' lead. The former E.R. star would play the leader of a group of human rebels trying to bring down the big bad aliens.

So the most popular filmmaker in the world is developing a cable genre series that will potentially feature an established TV star? I'm sure this is what they call a "sure thing" in the industry. It'll get made, it'll be promoted like crazy, and it'll score massive ratings for TNT.

Like most nerds, I'm looking forward to this. Some might not agree, but I think some of Spielberg's best work has been in the realm of science fiction. War of the Worlds was no Jaws, but it was a great lean thriller, and Minority Report was a gripping and innovative chase flick full of interesting ideas about the future. Even the uneven A.I. is worth watching.

As for Wyle, the guy has a decent range. I'm sure he'd do great. Plus, he deserves a better comeback than those fun but silly Librarian TV movies.

[Via EW]