Milius and MacDonald Aboard HBO's Rome

HBO's ambitious series project set in ancient Rome is inching closer to a green light. Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Milius (Apocalypse Now) and William J. MacDonald (The Saint) have come on board to executive produce Rome along with Bruno Heller (USA Network's The Huntress), who created the show and is expected to write most of the scripts if it goes forward.

Milius, MacDonald and Heller will be joined in some producing capacity by Robert Papazian and James Hirsch ("Nash Bridges") if the project is picked up.

Locations for filming the potential series have already been scouted throughout Europe, but the final approval for a production green light hinges on whether producers can work out a series budget acceptable to HBO.