The Tracking Board’s Daily Debrief (09.12.17)

Tracking Board’s Launch Pad Manuscript Competition Unveils Top 25

Over half of this year’s Top 25 come from female authors, and a handful are written by authors hailing from countries abroad. From fantastical young adult fare to sci-fi adventure epics, the Top 25 manuscripts feature an array of genres, ranging from rom-coms to dark comedies to the darkest of thrillers.

J.J. Abrams to Direct “Star Wars: Episode IX” as Lucasfilm Plays It Safe Following Director Drama

Abrams hasn’t directed a movie since Star Wars: The Force Awakens, nor was he developing any projects that appeared ready to go, but just because he was available doesn’t mean that Lucasfilm didn’t have to back up the Brinks truck and pay him a ton of money.

Asians, Pacific Islanders Still Underrepresented on TV, New Study Finds

There’s a “TVShoWhite” problem when it comes to depictions and representations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on the small screen, according to a new academic study.

More News From Around the Web

• Nate Corddry has boarded Locke & Key, a one-hour, horror/fantasy drama at Hulu. The series is an adaptation of the IDW comic by Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. (Deadline)

• Will & Grace has tapped Jane Lynch and Andrew Rannells for guest starring roles in the upcoming revival. The pair will appear in the same episode, which begins production this week. (Hollywood Reporter)

• Fox has given a script commitment plus penalty to the medical drama from Jason Horwitch and Howard Gordon. The untitled project centers on a hyper-charismatic doctor who travels the world in search of the most innovative new medicines while tackling the most challenging cases week-to-week. (Deadline)