Noah Wyle in alien-fighting role at TNT

Actor Noah Wyle arrives at the series finale party for the drama ''ER'' in Hollywood, California March 28, 2009.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Former "ER" star Noah Wyle has signed as the lead in TNT's untitled alien-invasion pilot, marking a reunion with producer Steven Spielberg.

The project, written by Robert Rodat ("Saving Private Ryan") from an idea he conceived with Spielberg, is set shortly after aliens have wiped out most of the human population. Wyle will play the leader of a ragtag group of soldiers and civilians who struggle against the occupying alien force.

"It is a privilege to be starting a second series with Noah," said Spielberg, whose Amblin production company was behind "ER." "The first didn't do too badly."

Wyle, who wrapped his 15-year turn as John Carter on "ER" in the spring, has starred in four original films for the cable network: the "Librarian" action-adventure franchise, which spawned three movies, and "Pirates of Silicon Valley."

(Editing by Dean Goodman at Reuters)