Television fans, look out: Oscar-winning actors are taking over! And not just for a special cameo or a three-episode guest star stint, either. Movie stars are coming to TV in a big way ... as series regulars.

Why? Well, for a few reasons. Portraying a character on a weekly basis can present a new challenge to these veteran silver screen stars, but let's not forget that young Hollywood actors in tween-targeted films are dominating the box office. These Oscar-winning actors aren't giving up films, but their star power and names alone are big enough to attract an audience to a TV show.

Many Oscar-winners and nominees have left their mark on both screens -- just look at Sally Field. She's won an Oscar for 'Norma Rae' and Emmys for 'Sybil,' 'ER' and 'Brothers & Sisters.'

Maybe the Oscars of these latest stars got lonely on the mantle and the next logical thought would be: Why not add an Emmy sister?

Check out the list of actors who are coming to TV -- including Sissy Spacek and Dustin Hoffman -- after the jump.

Before he starred in the most famous celebrity mug shot in America, Nick Nolte was known for his explosive performances in films ranging from drama to action to comedy. Now we may find out if television fans are ready to accept him as an actor again.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nolte, who since his 2002 drunk driving arrest has taken mostly low profile roles in foreign and low budget productions, is currently in talks to co-star alongside Dustin Hoffman in the upcoming HBO series 'Luck.'

Nick Nolte will be joining stars like Dustin Hoffman in the upcoming HBO pilot 'Luck.' It says a lot about a premium cable series when they can get movie-level stars to be in them. It says that either the programming is top-notch or the economy is in the crapper. Maybe it says a little of both.

Michael Mann is one of the people behind 'Luck,' and that probably helps in terms of casting. The show is about a disparate group of people at a horse track.

Keep in mind this is only for the pilot. If this gets turned into a series, there is no guarantee about who will stay and who will go.

Nolte's last television appearance was in 'Rich Man, Poor Man' in 1976 (according to his IMDB profile). He's done a couple of movies since then (a personal favorite remains '48 Hours'), but you have to admit 34 years is a long time between television roles. 'Luck' is something to look forward to.

In 1965, Dustin Hoffman played Buddy in an episode of CBS's legal drama 'The Defenders.' It didn't cause much of a ripple. He was still an unknown, struggling actor when he landed the role of Benjamin in 'The Graduate,' a role bigger names had all turned down including Charles Grodin, Robert Redford and Warren Beatty. The point is that unlike many young actors, television did not launch the career of two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman.

But Dustin is giving TV another shot. Dustin Hoffman will star in 'Luck,' David Milch's new series for HBO. Michael Mann has also signed up to direct the pilot, and Dennis Farina and John Ortiz have been cast as well. That's a boat-load of talent and a good indication that HBO is high on the project. Presumably, Hoffman, Milch, Mann and company don't come cheap. Milch's previous work for HBO includes 'Deadwood' and 'John in Cincinatti.'

Fans of Dustin Hoffman are in luck, as the Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the two-time Oscar winner has just booked his first regular TV gig.

According to the report, Hoffman will star in HBO's horse-racing and gambling drama 'Luck' from director Michael Mann ('The Insider') and David Milch ('Hill Street Blues'; 'Deadwood').

In it, Hoffman will play a man with a history of gambling who, after a four-year prison sentence, joins forces with his chauffeur (Dennis Farina) to form a "complex plan involving the track." Something tells us it won't exactly be legal.

Also on board to co-star is actor John Ortiz.

As much as there have been movies about the theater and movies about movies, the films that have been made about television are some of the best ever. This year alone, there are two movies nominated for Best Picture of the year by the Academy Awards that are all about television -- Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon. Without TV, neither of these films would exist. Looking back, here are the films about TV that set the standards by which Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon are measured.

Recently, I wrote about why I respect, admire, and -- yes -- love Turner Classic Movies. Well, today they've done something else to reinforce my feelings. On June 2, TCM will air a salute to director Sydney Pollack, showing four of his films. The Oscar-winning director, who was also an actor and producer, passed away on Monday following a short bout with cancer. It was only a few months ago that the word spread in Hollywood that he was seriously ill. Film critic Joseph Morgenstern wrote a salute to him on February 2 in the Wall Street Journal, honoring the man before his death.

Sadly, the cancer that fell Sydney Pollack was one that didn't respond to treatment.

On Monday, TCM will show Sydney Pollack's directorial debut in features, 1965's The Slender Thread starring Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft. In the same year, he won an Emmy for directing The Game, part of the Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater anthology series. On TV, he'd also done Ben Casey and The Fugitive episodes, learning his craft.

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