Louis C.K.’s “Louie” Returning with Back-to-Back Episodes on May 5

Louis C.K.’s critically acclaimed series is returning to television in May.

Following its one-year hiatus, FX has announced that the 46-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian’s comedy series Louie will premiere on May 5 with back-to-back new episodes.

Louis C.K.

In announcing the hiatus in 2012, Louis C.K. and FX president John Landgraf referred to the first three seasons of Louie as the first act of a trilogy, with the comedian noting he hoped the show could go to nine seasons.

FX had ordered a 13-episode season of the single-camera show, but series creator-director-writer-star Louis C.K. delivered a 14th episode.

The offbeat comedy earned Louis C.K., the show’s creator, an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2012.

Louie also earned the first-ever Outstanding Comedy Series nomination for a basic cable show in 2013.

Louis C.K. has kept busy during the series’ hiatus, inking an overall deal with FX Productions in December, co-writing a comedy series with Zach Galifianakis that FX ordered to pilot in January; touring with his stand-up acts and offering $5 downloads his 1998 feature film directorial debut.

He also has been tapped for a voice role in Illumination Entertainment’s untitled animated Pets film and is set to host Saturday Night Live for a second time on March 29.

FX Orders Zach Galifianakis-Starring Comedy Pilot Co-Written by Louis C.K.

FX may have landed its next critically acclaimed series, with help from its star Louis C.K.

The network has ordered a comedy pilot created by and starring Zach Galifianakis and co-written by the 46-year-old Mexican American comedian and star of FX’s Emmy-winning series Louie, which also earned a Peabody Award last April.

Louis C.K.

There’s still no concept yet for the project, the first to come out of Louis C.K. and his company Pig Newton’s overall pact which FX Productions.

Louis C.K. had previously signed a production deal with FX Productions to help get new projects off the ground.

Galifianakis will executive produce alongside Louis C.K.

This marks the 12th greenlighted comedy pilot for FX Productions as the company is beefing up its comedy production efforts to supply both FX and sibling FXX with content.

González Iñárritu Casts Edward Norton in “Birdman”

Alejandro González Iñárritu has found the foil for his first comedy film

The 49-year-old Mexican filmmaker, known for dramatic films like 21 Grams, Babel and Amores perros, has cast Edward Norton in his dark comedy Birdman.

Alejandro González Iñárritu

From Fox Searchlight and New Regency, the film will center on a former actor ( played by Michael Keaton) who once played a superhero who puts together a play on Broadway based on a short story by Raymond Carver. Unfortunately, the ex-superhero’s plans to soar again are threatened by his egotistical lead stage actor portrayed by Norton.

Along with Norton and Keaton, the cast includes Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis.

The film will be shot in a Broadway theater in New York beginning mid-April.