Vertigo's Preacher finally makes it to the screen....

[RickDangerous]

From today's Washington Post:

HBO hears word, brings 'Preacher' to small screen

By Borys Kit
Reuters
Wednesday, November 29, 2006; 2:46 AM

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - HBO has seen the light and is bringing "Preacher" to the small screen.

The pay cable network is developing a one-hour series based on the popular Vertigo comics series.


"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 -- 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 production company, among others, got to the casting stage, with James Marsden attached for the title role and a reported budget of $25 million.

The series was created by Irish-born writer Garth Ennis and British artist Steve Dillon. Mark Steven Johnson, the writer-director behind comic adaptations "Daredevil" and the upcoming "Ghost Rider," is writing the pilot, while Howard Deutch is attached to direct. Johnson also wrote "Grumpier Old Men," which Deutch directed.

[Tobias March]

Personally I think this is fantastic. I always had fears for the film, even though Garth submitted a script, as it necessarily would have to shet a lot of material to make it up on the big screen, palatable for audiences willing to shell out cash for a cinema ticket.

On the small screen though it's a whole different story. Go HBO! :D

[Jared]

I always knew that a premium channel series (or at least, miniseries) would be the only sensible way adapt the comic. I'm just glad it's the premium channel that I get. I'm less optomistic about who is involved in the pilot so far.

[Ryan K]

I'm looking forward to this and I'm excited about the format.

But the writer of Jack Frost and Daredevil doesn't do a whole lot for me.

[Jared]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=39072

Looks like the plan is to directly adapt every issue into an episode. That should make the writing easier, but I wonder how much filler they'll have to add to pad some issues out to an hour.

Also, that's pretty ballsy, as a show like this is sure to be the biggest TV controversy of the year. It'll make Big Love look like 7th Heaven. Basically, God is the villain!

[ragnarok_2012]

I think it would be fun to see Tarantino direct an episode.

So if Tarantino were to direct any episode based on one specific issue of the Preacher, what would you guys like to see him tackle?

I'm thinking Starr vs. the cannibals....

[Tobias March]

I think it would be fun to see Tarantino direct an episode.

So if Tarantino were to direct any episode based on one specific issue of the Preacher, what would you guys like to see him tackle?

I'm thinking Starr vs. the cannibals....

How about the issue with Si? I remember that actually creeped me out the first time I read it, plus it has lots of fun dialogue (the stuff about Woodstock and all) & of course the Clint Eastwood gay s&m parody...

Now that I like to see Tarantino do. Hell make it a two-parter :)

[DonC]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=39072

Looks like the plan is to directly adapt every issue into an episode. That should make the writing easier, but I wonder how much filler they'll have to add to pad some issues out to an hour.

Also, that's pretty ballsy, as a show like this is sure to be the biggest TV controversy of the year. It'll make Big Love look like 7th Heaven. Basically, God is the villain!


Given HBO's "We love you, you're canceled" approach to TV shows, I wonder if Preacher, the TV series, will last long enough to adapt the entire comic series. I hope so, but I doubt it. Their most popular show, The Sopranos is the only drama they've done that has reached the number of shows needed to tell the entire story of Preacher.

[IamtheRock3]

well they kept Arlist on for years, and it was well...ARLISS

so preacher wont have to tough a Job. Also kept six feet on for a long time


just got to snag an audience. Numbers of people watching Doesnt even have to be as big as networks

I mean the story has Sex, Violence, Drama, and VERY controversal

Should least get people attention before they hook on the story. All we need is Christan Rights groups to protest it (AND you KNOW they will). There for getting in on every new channels and raiting will skyrocket

Just look at the Passion, Farigheight 911 and Borat

[Jared]

Sex and the City also had a long run.

A Preacher show, I would think, won't be nearly as heavy on expensive sets and costuming Deadwood and Rome. It does need special effects, but generally, probably no more than Smallville. Granted, I've only read through the first three or four TPBs, so maybe that changes.

Hell, maybe HBO could keep the Deadwood set around for the Saint of Killers origin story.

[Sheldon]

I was excited by this until I found out Mark Steven Johnson is involved.

[IamtheRock3]

making ever episode base on the each issue may hurt though for 3 reason


1) Even A classic series like Preacher, they have some Stuff that Filler and issue that not so great. The smart idea would be just to Trim the fat and pick out the best of the best

2) Some of the issue may not be able to stretch out into an hour

3) TV may Require differnt things then the comic. Differnt medium. Even Sin City had to cheat a bit by putting on the stories together and having them mixed. Plus Sin City kind of FIT with a movie style. Not sure EVERY issue of preacher does that

[DonC]

Arliss and Sex and the City were half-hour comedies. Those are much cheaper to produce than hour dramas. Six Feet Under did run long enough, though. I forgot about that one.

What I'm trying to say is, I don't want HBO to start this if they aren't going to finish it.

[IamtheRock3]

Only shows they really abadon is

Deadwood
And Carnival


Deadwood they at least will make movies


Wire got renewed after people thought it was canceld despite the rather low raiting, and the fact it probally cost a good deal to make cause of all the locations shots.

And even it did get canceld, it gave a pretty darn good final in season 3 that could of wrapped things up. That why they basicly had to start from scratch in season 4

[Jared]

Isn't Rome finished after season 2 airs?

[king mob]

Rome is a co-production with the BBC, something HBO does quite a bit of. Now Preacher looks to be purely funded by HBO so it means they either have quite a bit of faith that the end product will be a hit, or there is in fact another broadcaster sharing the costs.

[the film freak]

Isn't Rome finished after season 2 airs?

God I hope not. I love that show.

[IamtheRock3]

Isn't Rome finished after season 2 airs?


Well after the death of ceaser. Surprise the had season 2


What kind of left to tell

[the film freak]

Well after the death of ceaser. Surprise the had season 2


What kind of left to tell


There's a whole lot of story tell like the power struggle between Marc Antony and Octavian (who would become Augustus) being a major one. And something I'd like to see. Not to mention Cleaopatra and her son with Caeserion (most likely Titus Pullos in the context of the show).