NBC picks up J.J. Abrams, Bill Lawrence pilots

The pilots just keep rolling in. Despite NBC giving the greenlight to numerous comedy and drama pilots throughout the Fall season, the peacock network has just announced another two new projects from proven creators.

On the heels of the big news that J.J. Abrams has been pegged to direct the next "Star Wars" sequel, the director/producer also learned that NBC has picked up his pilot project. The high-concept drama, entitled "Believe," was written by Alfonso Cuaron ("Children of Men") and Mark Friedman ("Home of the Brave"). The story involves a young girl bestowed with great powers that will reach their zenith in seven years, and the man who is sprung from prison to protect her from those attempting to hunt her down and use those powers for their own gain. All three creators will serve as executive producers on the project along with Bryan Burk ("Fringe", "Person of Interest"). The director of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" Cuaron is set to helm the pilot. Given the talent involved, it is hardly surprising that the project is reportedly on the fast track for a pick up, with casting for the young lead already begun back in December.

In the comedy drama, NBC has reunited with "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence on the new multi-camera comedy "Undateable." The series is based on the book "Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating Or Having Sex" by Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle. The adaptation was penned by "Due Date" screenwriter Adam Szytkiel, and will focus on two very different men who have one thing in common: they are unable to attract women. Both Sztykiel and Lawrence will serve as executive producers along with Jeff Ingold ("Like Father").

Lawrence and Abrams both have additional pilots in production at Fox, with the "Cougar Town" creator having earlier sold the network on "I Suck At Girls" and Abrams selling them on a futuristic cop drama teaming the director with "Fringe" showrunner J.H. Wyman.