John C. Reilly to play Jerry Buss in Lakers TV pilot

Comedian John C. Reilly will take the role of late Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss in the HBO pilot about the team's 1980s "Showtime" era, according to Deadline's Nellie Andreeva.

Reilly will replace Michael Shannon, who was originally cast as Buss but left the project due to creative differences.

The pilot, currently called "Untitled Showtime Lakers Project," is overseen by Adam McKay, who directed "Vice" and "The Big Short" and who worked with Reilly on "Step Brothers" and "Talladega Nights." Australian actor Jason Clarke is attached to the project to play longtime Lakers GM Jerry West.

The pilot is based on a book by sportswriter Jeff Pearlman.