Fox is teaming up with filmmaker Craig Brewer to develop a TV series based on the 1980 John Travolta movie Urban Cowboy. The series, which is being produced by Paramount TV and 20th Century Fox TV, is being eyed as a possible companion piece to Fox's breakthrough hit series Empire, although nothing is set in stone. Oddly enough, Craig Brewer directed Empire star Terrence Howard in the breakout indie hit Hustle & Flow 10 years ago.

The Urban Cowboy TV series will follow the relationship of Bud and Sissy, originally portrayed by John Travolta and Debra Winger in the movie, against the backdrop of rodeos and line dancing clubs in modern-day Texas. The original movie helped solidify John Travolta's status as a viable movie star, and it also started the popular trend of mechanical bull-riding machines in the 1980s. Scott Glenn, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Barry Corbin and James Gammon co-starred in the original film, which was co-written and directed by James Bridges (Bright Lights, Big City).

The project is part of Craig Brewer's overall TV deal he signed with Paramount last year, and is just the latest in a string of the studio's movies that are being adapted for the small screen. Paramount also has TV adaptations of Minority Report at Fox and School of Rock at Nickelodeon. They are also developing a USA Network pilot based on the 2007 action movie Shooter and a TV sequel to the 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. Craig Brewer most recently directed the 2001 feature remake Footloose, and he is also attached to direct another remake, The Idolmaker for MGM.