Film Music Reporter

Timbaland has signed on as a songwriter and song producer for the Fox pilot Empire. The show is created by Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious) and Danny Strong (Game Change, The Butler) and stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson The drama is set in the world of a hip hop-empire and follows a charismatic, savvy music superstar who is about to take his company, Empire Entertainment, public. Daniels and Strong are also executive producing the 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Entertainment production with Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 24) and Francie Calfo. Daniels is also directing the pilot episode. The project is said to feature a mix of new and existing music. Fox is expected to announce during upfronts in May if the drama will be picked up to series. (Deadline)