At the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Ca, NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt announced NBC’s plans for the upcoming television year. He revealed Parks and Recreation seventh season renewal, and unveiled two new miniseries. The eight episode miniseries, based on an Australian drama called The Slap, follows the repercussions of slapping a non-relative child. Their other mini-series, Emerald City, is a 10-episode reimaging of the Wizard of Oz. It follows a stubborn 20-Something Dorothy battling to gain control of Oz.

Greenblatt’s biggest announcement was NBC’s plans for a live-musical production of Peter Pan. Carrie Underwood’s live-production of The Sound of Music drew 18.6 million viewers.  The network quickly announced plans to do another live production after those numbers were publicized. NBC decided to make the production Peter Pan because it has family appeal. Children and adults can get equal enjoyment out of watching it. Additionally, NBC has done live broadcasts of Peter Pan before. In 1955, they did the famous Mary Martin version, and then adapted it again in 1956 and 1960.

Despite the huge ratings, NBC’s The Sound of Music received poor reviews. The network is likely to use caution with their casting decisions and rehearsals this time around.

At the press conference, Greenblatt joked that he planned to cast Miley Cyrus as Peter. Joking aside,he firmly stated plans to have a male play the role of Peter, unlike their original version. He also ruled out Justin Bieber as a possible Pan. NBC will probably try to hire someone with enough name recognition to draw in a younger audience, but also ensure that they can sing and act to please critics.

Peter Pan is a hot topic right now for the media. ABC’s series Once Upon a Time did an entire story arc this season revolving around Pan, and there is a Pan origin movie being released next year.

Is this too much Pan for fans?

NBC’s live-musical production of Peter Pan airs on December 4, nearly a year after The Sound of Music’s live production aired.

Image Via Wikimedia Commons