PREACHER COMES TO HBO

[MattBrady]

For years, fans have been saying that if Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion’s Preacher were to come to any screen, only HBO could do it justice.

Apparently, DC, Vertigo, Ennis, Dillion and whatever gods watch over Time Warner agree.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Preacher will launch on HBO as a series, adapted by Mark Steven Johnson (Ghost Rider, Daredevil) and directed by Howard Deutch. Johnson and Deutch will executive produce along with Michael De Luca, George Agusto, Chris Bender and JC Spink.

From HR:

Preacher, which ran from 1995-2000, told the story of a down-and-out Texas preacher possessed by Genesis, a supernatural entity conceived by the unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon. Given immense powers, the preacher teamed with an old girlfriend and a hard-drinking Irish vampire and set out on a journey across America to find God -- who apparently had abandoned his duties in heaven -- and hold him accountable for his negligence.

The series was created by Irish-born writer Garth Ennis and British artist Steve Dillon, who will serve as co-executive producers. Ken F. Levin, who reps the duo, also will serve as co-exec producer.

The series -- which developed a rabid fan base -- was known for tackling religious and political issues, its dark and violent sense of humor and its observations of American culture. It also was one of the series that helped define Vertigo, the adult-oriented line of comics from DC Comics.

There have been several attempts to bring the comic to the screen, whether big or small, but nothing stuck. A movie version, to have been produced by Kevin Smith's View Askew, among others, got to the casting stage, with James Marsden attached for the title role and a reported budget of $25 million.

The project reunites Johnson with Deutch; Johnson wrote "Grumpier Old Men," which Deutch directed. Deutch's directing credits include TV's "Gleason," the pilot for "Melrose Place" and the 1986 film "Pretty in Pink." He is repped by ICM.

Johnson is repped by CAA.

Though the series ended in 2000, after 66 issues, Preacher has consistently been one of DC/Vertigo's best-selling trade collections through both the comic and bookstore market, with each of the nine volumes seeing multiple printings. Like many other Vertigo properties, Ennis and Dillion have a creator participation deal with Preacher, which allows them to continually receive a portion of the revenue generated by the trades and other rights to the property.

While no start date was given, or cast announced, the bar has obviously been set very high for the adaptation of the property, given the reputation of HBO's original series. Given the content of Preacher and the buttons a loyal adaptation of the comic series will push, the network is clearly looking at one of its most controversial series to date.

[JoeGKushner]

One season for each trade?

[James Seals]

Nice.

This should prove a rude awakening to those who still think comics are for kids.

-James

[Dave Fury]

This is fantastic news.

[mikey_danger]

News this amazing only seems to happen on April Fools. I must be dreaming.

It's gonna be a great day... I can feel it.

[FallenFate]

This is immensely good news. The fact that Mark Stephen Johnson is directing/writing is a huge plus as well. Despite the flaws with the theatrical release of Daredevil, I still enjoyed it and the Director's Cut is infinitely better, with much more plot and much more of the Matt Murdock side of Daredevil. I'm looking forward to Ghost Rider because I know Johnson loves comics and the characters and will do his best to do it justice.

Another big bonus for Preacher is that Ennis and Dillon are co-executive producers. That should help ensure that it stays close to the comic. My one worry about this is HBO's tendency to cancel a series just as it gets interesting.

[tarjeetb]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

For years, fans have been saying that if Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion’s Preacher were to come to any screen, only HBO could do it justice.

Apparnetly, DC, Vertigo, Ennis, Dillion and whatever gods watch over Time Warner agree.

Wait. A property owned by a branch of TW (DC) is being adapted for television by another branch of TW (HBO)? Indeed, divine intervention is the only explanation for such a mystery.

[RedCricketChase]

I had a happy moment in my trou when I saw the headline. Then the happy moment subsuded a tiny bit when I saw Mr. MS Johnson's vanilla-ey name attached..... maybe they;ll bring in some HBO writing talent as the series progresses..... *please survive please don't be cancelled plsplsplsplspls!*

rcc
the boytch is back

[brokencowboy]

Wow. Awesome.

Now it's all in the casting.

[pmpknface]

This is amazing news. Now, if this works for HBO maybe they will realize that the HBO format is KEY to translating comics to film. **ahem... Watchmen...***

[Prometheus3]

This is great news but I wish Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon were parts of this and executive producers of some kind. They should at least be asked to help pick the cast.

[FallenFate]

Originally Posted by pmpknface

This is amazing news. Now, if this works for HBO maybe they will realize that the HBO format is KEY to translating comics to film. **ahem... Watchmen...***

I honestly think that Watchmen COULD be done as a film if done right. It would be about 3.5 hours, but it could be done with the right script. I'm hoping they have the right one now and I have confidence that Zak Snyder can pull it off.

[FallenFate]

Originally Posted by Prometheus3

This is great news but I wish Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon were parts of this and executive producers of some kind. They should at least be asked to help pick the cast.

Ummm...according to the article they are "co-exec producers." That sounds like EXACTLY what you wish.

[Hurnslice]

This is exacly how they should be doing Watchmen!!

Why oh why are the trying to cram that into a two hour movie?!

Glad to hear Preacher will be on HBO. Great news.

[MCaputo]

The guy who directed...I mean, ruined Daredevil with the guy who directed "Pretty in Pink" and an Odd Couple rehash.

Should be a perfect combination with the network that couldn't keep David Chase from running "The Sopranos" into the ground.

I know, I'm bitter.

[AlexLothos]

WOAH! Great news! Can't wait to hear about casting!

[nietoperz]

Wow. I really hope it doesn't get watered down for TV. HBO has a great track record, but Preacher is pretty near the knuckle...

[The Holy Cow]

This could be a great show or a huge disapointment if not done properly, but I can't wait to see it

[Ye Olde Iowa]

Originally Posted by FallenFate

Ummm...according to the article they are "co-exec producers." That sounds like EXACTLY what you wish.

Holy ****! Ennis and Dillon as Co-Executive Producers? HBO putting this together? This is, and this is a totally understatement, amazing. HBO has what it takes to put together longform, mature stories adapted from comics and I think that Preacher is a great place to start. What a way to start the news day.

With Entourage, Deadwood, and now, Preacher, HBO is turning into my new favorite channel (too bad Lucky Louie was canceled though).

[MikeD]

Great news, HBO airs most of my favorite shows: Sopranos, Deadwood, The Wire, Rome, Curb Your Enthusiam and Entourage.

[amlah6]

With HBO's recent track record we should get two brilliant seasons followed swiftly by an untimely cancellation.

[Arnout]

Originally Posted by tarjeetb

Wait. A property owned by a branch of TW (DC) is being adapted for television by another branch of TW (HBO)? Indeed, divine intervention is the only explanation for such a mystery.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only thing DC owns about Preacher is that they're publishing the series. For the rest, I'm quite sure this is entirely Ennis/Dillon who own the series, its characters and events.

Not sure, but close. I find the "creator-participation" thing a bit odd. That's for stuff like Harris/Robinson's Starman or Planetary, not for Preacher or say, Transmetropolitan.

[JDooley]

God Bless us everyone! How cool is that! Time to start re reading all my comics. G Ennis is awesome when I met him in person. Signed lots of stuff and talked to me alot. A great guy. I love Dillion's art. I just hope this stays close to source material.

[runaway]

Originally Posted by amlah6

With HBO's recent track record we should get two brilliant seasons followed swiftly by an untimely cancellation.

Oh, Carnivale.
That was a wonderful series.

[SpaceButler]

Originally Posted by amlah6

With HBO's recent track record we should get two brilliant seasons followed swiftly by an untimely cancellation.

Alas, poor Carnivale, I knew it Horatio...

But let's have a little hope, they kpet my favorite, The Wire, on the air for a good while.