By Nellie Andreeva 

LOS ANGELES -- Keri Russell and Josh Brolin are heading "Into the West," with TNT's 12-hour limited series from executive producer Steven Spielberg. 

"Into the West," budgeted at about $50 million, tells the story of the opening of the American West in the 19th century through the eyes of two multigenerational families, one of white settlers and one of Native Americans. 

Influenced by mountain man and pioneer Jedediah (Brolin), Jacob Wheeler (Matthew Settle) and his brother Jethro (Skeet Ulrich) head west on a treacherous wagon train journey, joined by their jilted cousin Naomi (Russell). Casting is under way for the Native-American roles. 

Production will begin this summer for a summer 2005 premiere. 

Russell and Ulrich recently starred in the CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie "The Magic of Ordinary Days." The former "Felicity" star next appears in the feature "The Upside of Anger." Brolin, who toplined NBC's short-lived drama "Mister Sterling," recently wrapped the John Stockwell-directed feature "Into the Blue." 

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter 

(Note from The Stationmistress: This is not the first time Josh Brolin is working with Steven Spielberg. A young Brolin appeared in the cult classic "Goonies."