MTV scales 'Heights' for update Music channel flips classic for TV

MTV is planning a telepic called "Wuthering Heights, CA," a contemporary take on Emily Bronte's classic novel.

Project marks the second classic to be turned on its ear by MTV's original movie for television unit, which is headed by Maggie Malina. Beyonce Knowles made her acting debut in the first such adaptation, Robert Townsend-directed
"Carmen: A Hip Hopera," which co-starred Mekhi Phifer and debuted on the basic cable network in March 2001.

Casting is under way on "Wuthering Heights, CA," which is set along the Mendocino coastline. It concerns a young woman who falls in love with a poor musician, but marries someone from a wealthy family instead. Ultimately she realizes her true feelings.

Scribes Annie deYoung and Max Enscoe, the husband-and-wife team responsible for ABC's "Prince William" telepic and the Alphabet's upcoming Go-Go's movie, are the writers. Suri Krishnamma ("New Year's Day") will direct; Jim Steinman
is exec producing; and Paul Mason is producing.

Music likely will play a large part in the project. However, it's unclear what genre will be explored, aside from the fact that it won't be hip-hop, since that's been done.