Many people have recommended the Preacher comic book series to me, but I’ve yet to pick it up. For several years, a film adaptation was in the works by Kevin Smith’s production company - View Askew Productions, with James Marsden attached to play the lead. In November 2006, it was announced that Mark Steven Johnson was producing the series as a one-hour HBO television series. Johnson is like the Uwe Boll of Comic Book movies (oka, may-be not THAT bad), having directed Daredevil and Ghost Rider. So when his name was mentioned, most fans were outraged. Pretty in Pink director Howard Deutch was named to helm the pilot episode, which didn’t make the fans any less doubtful. But according to Comics2Film there may be light at the end of the tunnel after all.
Rumor has it that Sin City director Robert Rodriguez is circling the project and “he’s just one of many top-shelf directors interested in the series.” But apparently HBO has still yet to commit to the project. Rodriguez could be enough to get the project on the fast track.
The storyline has always sounded very interesting to me:Â Preacher tells the story of a down-and-out preacher in the small Texas town who was accidentally possessed by the supernatural creature named ‘Genesis’ in an incident which killed his entire congregation and flattened his church. Jesse Custer may have become the most powerful being in the whole of living existence. Driven by a strong sense of right and wrong, Custer goes on a journey across the United States attempting to (literally) find God, who abandoned Heaven the moment Genesis was born. He also begins to discover the truth about his new powers, which allow him to command the obedience of those who hear his words. He is joined by his old girlfriend Tulip O’Hare, as well as a hard-drinking Irish vampire named Cassidy. The 75 issue comic book series was created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, and published between 1995 to 2000.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:03 am
If this is even close to being true, the it would be silly of HBO not to fast track this project. HBO needs another hit/flagship show.
Seeing how Entourage, while gaining popularity was a bit disappointing this season, and John From Cincinnati not getting renewed means HBO has a nice hole in their schedule.
Preacher would be perfect there..
September 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I just got into these books via a friend a month ago, and they are awesome…
and with Robert directing the pilot - holy crap
this is great news
September 6th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Jesse Custer is my hero. The Preacher story deserves a topshelf director. Garth Ennis is a GOD!!!!
September 11th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
A preacher series would def. kick much arse but I could see why its been taken a while for it to start off, I know it will happen eventually because this story is just to fuckin good, reading the comics was just like Kevin Smith put it “More fun than going to the movies” The story is very edgie and based in the 90’s and plus they have to be accurate to the comic and not fuck shit up, I can’t wait for this. I think it can be better than the sopranos.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
The Greatest shit will be seeing The Saint of Killers in the pilot episode , shooting the angel in the head as he escapes boot hill. They are gonna need a big guy to play him, Maybe the guy that played Sabertooth in X-men, or the Undertaker! But that and Jesus De Sade’s party will fuckin Rock!