'Locke & Key' creator 'had McCartney doubts'

Locke & Key creator Joe Hill has admitted that he had some reservations about the casting of Jesse McCartney in Fox's television adaptation.

It was announced last month that the musician-turned-actor will play Tyler, the eldest son of Nina Locke (Miranda Otto), in the pilot.

Hill told MTV: "Initially I had my doubts [about Jesse], not knowing anything about him except that he had a music career."

However, he added: "I watched him perform a couple scenes and was not just impressed, but kind of rattled by how well he brings off Tyler. Jess has depth and gravity and a kind of sweet, bruised innocence that really captures what I was after in the character."

Hill also dismissed speculation that the part had been rewritten to incorporate McCartney's musical talent.

"There's this rumour going around that... music [will be] a major aspect of the show," he said. "That your basic internet nonsense, right there. Tyler isn't going to have a dance-off with Sam Lesser. It's a horror show."

The Locke & Key pilot is under consideration for Fox's 2011-12 television season.